Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the Telangana State BJP chief, has criticized Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s visit to inspect crop damage as a political stunt. Kumar stated that the BRS chief had not visited crop damages for the past eight years and is only taking a tour now since it is an election year. He also called the Rs 10,000 per acre compensation announced by the chief minister an eyewash as it is not enough to cover the investment made by farmers. According to Kumar, the initial crop damage is estimated at 5 lakh acres from various quarters, including farmers’ associations. However, agriculture and revenue department officials have not yet visited the crop-damaged areas in the state to assess the extent of the damage. Kumar also criticized CM KCR’s alleged remarks of asking for financial assistance from the Centre without sending a report on the same. He demanded that the state government stop blaming the Centre and call for a report on the actual extent of crop damage and pay compensation to the farmers based on damage. Additionally, he asked the chief minister to implement a comprehensive crop insurance scheme keeping in view the long-term interests of farmers in the state.
