Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced on Monday that the Congress-led Telangana government has already spent ₹60,000 crore to support farmers since taking office.
Speaking at a public gathering in Macharam village, Amrabad mandal, Nagarkurnool district, he launched the massive ₹12,600-crore 'Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam' scheme. This initiative is a key part of the Nallamala Declaration, aimed at improving rural and tribal farming.
Reddy emphasized that his government is offering more than just the minimum support price. Farmers growing fine varieties of paddy now receive an extra ₹500 bonus, making rice farming more profitable than before.
He also took a swipe at former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, recalling how Rao mocked the idea of growing fine paddy. But today, 3.10 crore people in Telangana receive fine rice through fair price shops, boosting the self-respect of poor families.
“This is the people’s government,” Reddy said. “Families receiving fine rice are truly happy, and this shows how our welfare programs are making a real difference.”
The Chief Minister highlighted how the previous BRS government punished tribal farmers fighting for rights over podu lands—a traditional system of shifting cultivation. In contrast, the Congress government is now helping these farmers by installing solar pump sets to support agriculture on such lands.
“We are not jailing them—we are empowering them,” he declared. He pledged to provide solar pump sets to all farmers in the Atchampet constituency, with the process to be completed in 100 days.
Reddy also criticized the Opposition for spreading “false propaganda” against the government on social media, allegedly funded by corrupt money. “We are not afraid of lies. Our actions will speak louder. People of Telangana will reject those who try to mislead them,” he said.
He shared his vision of empowering women in the solar energy sector, stating that they can become entrepreneurs who compete with giants like Adani and Ambani.
The Chief Minister proudly noted that the Central government ranked Telangana as the top state in controlling essential commodity prices. He added that it also leads in maintaining law and order.
“The Opposition doubted the ability of Palamuru leaders to govern. But we’ve proven them wrong by making Telangana number one in many areas,” Reddy concluded, receiving loud applause from the crowd.
