Lok Satta hits at Congress, TDP over handling of drought

The Lok Satta Party on Thursday criticised both the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party for "politicizing" the drought affecting Andhra Pradesh and trying to outsmart each other in gaining pilitical mileage.

The Lok Satta Party on Thursday criticised both the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party for "politicizing" the drought affecting Andhra Pradesh and trying to outsmart each other in gaining pilitical mileage.

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Talking to the media, Enugu Rama Rao, State Party Working Committee member said that the ruling party and the TDP were not eager to work together in tackling the problem.

While the ruling party tried to minimise the gravity of the situation, the opposition tried to magnify it. Ultimately, the drought debate in the Assembly did not provide any ray of hope to the farmers, he said.

The Lok Satta leader said it was time both the ruling party and the opposition pondered why the agriculture sector continued to be in a crisis despite mass loan write-offs, free power supply and many subsidy and welare schemes.

Successive Governments over the years have not made serious efforts to make agriculture a profitable proposition, he alleged. The party had suggested the formation of agri-clinics at the rate of one for every 3000 acres to supply inputs like seeds and fertilizers and extend technical services to farmers, handing over of market yards to genuine farmers' representatives and utilization of market cess for agriculture purpose, he said.