Amaravati, November 4 () – YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Chief Minister and leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), said on Tuesday that the TDP‑led coalition must roll out crop insurance for every farmer in the state.
Reddy accused the ruling coalition of adopting anti‑farmer policies and warned that a comprehensive insurance scheme would protect farmers from the huge losses caused by natural disasters.
During a visit to areas in Krishna district hit hard by Cyclone Montha, Reddy met with farmers and pointed out that the cyclone damaged more than 15 million acres of cropland. Paddy crops alone were affected across 11 million acres, he said.
He said the government’s quick, “one‑day” crop enumeration process was designed to avoid paying compensation. Reddy claimed that many farmers were told that crop insurance would not cover paddy, and that the district collector ordered officials to finish the survey in a single day. Farmers in all 25 districts reported no field visits from authorities and that the enumeration was rushed or skipped entirely.
“Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu must be held responsible for scrapping crop insurance, which has left farmers burdened,” Reddy told reporters. He urged the coalition to pay the Rs 600 crore owed to affected farmers and to begin subsidizing premiums for the upcoming Rabi season.
Reddy also highlighted that in the 18 months of the coalition government, farmers faced 16 disasters, from cyclones to severe droughts, yet the government allegedly showed little compassion. He added that while farmers struggled, Naidu was seen taking an aerial survey and then leaving for London, while his son visited Mumbai for a cricket match.
The former chief minister said the coalition failed to deliver the promised Rs 20,000 input subsidy over two years, providing only Rs 5,000. He contrasted that with his own term, when subsidies were disbursed on schedule, crop insurance was maintained, and a Rs 3 billion price‑stabilisation fund ensured minimum support prices.
Under the current coalition, only 19 million farmers are registered for crop insurance—a number that covers those carrying bank loans, leaving many others uninsured. Reddy noted that during his term, 85 million farmers received insurance premiums. He demands the government repay insured amounts to all farmers and resume subsidies and insurance payments.
Source: ianslive
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