Hyderabad, Telangana [India], March 17: BRS MLC K Kavitha on Sunday accused the Telangana government of backtracking on its promises to women and farmers in the state. Speaking outside the Telangana Legislative Council, Kavitha criticized the government’s recent statements, stating that they had failed to fulfill commitments made during their previous campaigns.
“In the council, this government has replied that they are not going to fulfill the promises they made to the women. The BRS government started a program called ‘Kalyan Lakshmi’ to support women in getting education. This program is being sabotaged by the government because they promised that they would also give 10 grams of gold along with Rs. 1 lakh, but they have now stated that they will not provide it,” Kavitha said.
Kavitha also voiced her frustration over the ongoing hardships faced by farmers in Telangana, particularly those involved in turmeric and chilli cultivation. “On the other hand, turmeric and chilli farmers are suffering, and the government is not listening to them,” she added.
Earlier in the day, Kavitha, along with other BRS leaders, protested outside the Telangana Legislative Council, wearing garlands made of red chilies to demand a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 25,000 per quintal for chili farmers. The protestors raised concerns about the drastic reduction in the acreage of chili cultivation in the state, which fell from 4 lakh acres to 2.4 lakh acres this season due to the lack of viable pricing.
The BRS demanded that the government set an MSP of Rs 25,000 per quintal for chilies and purchase them through Nafed and Markfed. Additionally, BRS leaders called for the inclusion of chili in the food crop list by the Spices Board.
Earlier, on March 15, BRS MLCs, led by K Kavitha, staged another protest outside the Telangana Legislative Council, demanding that both central and state governments fix a minimum support price of Rs 15,000 per quintal for turmeric farmers. The protestors, carrying placards and raising slogans, highlighted the significant economic hardships faced by turmeric farmers, who have been unable to get adequate support for their crops.
Kavitha expressed concern about the lack of a proper MSP for turmeric, saying, “Turmeric farmers have been suffering for quite some time. The minimum support price for turmeric has not been established by the central government and the state government. Farmers across Telangana are suffering.” She further pointed out that the Congress party had promised an MSP of Rs 12,000 during elections, adding, “We are demanding a minimum support price of Rs 15,000 for turmeric farmers, which was also a poll promise made by the Congress government.”