Medak, November 10: Former national president of Bharatiya Janata Party M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday demanded that the government adopt permanent measures to tackle the drought situation in the state.
Talking to media persons after inspecting crops as part of his visit to Gajwel mandal in Medak district, Venkaiah Naidu said that the drought has become a recurring phenomenon every year and therefore, the government should take steps to find a permanent solution. As part of preventing drought, he said the government should link all rivers in the state. He said the short-term measures would not give any benefits to farmers, who are affected with drought.
Instead of implementing populist schemes to protect their vote bank, he said that the government should take up permanent welfare measures for uplifting backward communities. He slammed Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for launching Rs 1 a kg rice scheme expecting short term gains.
Demanding government announce new MSP for paddy growers, Naidu said the BJP would mount pressure on Centre in the upcoming parliament session over the farmers’ problems. He asked the government to announce compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre for drought affected farmers.
Instead of conducting Racha Banda, he asked the Chief Minister to tour drought affected districts to collect first hand information over farmers’ problems.
——-Agencies