Rs 4000 Crore Calamity Relief Fund To Stabilise Farm Sector: YS Jagan

Leader of the Opposition and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said tears in the farmers' eyes do not augur well for the state. Addressing a farmers' meet at Kodumuru in Kurnool district on Monday as part of the Day 19 of his Praja Sankalpa Yatra, he said that Chandrababu Naidu has done nothing for the welfare of the farmers and he said only people's government can solve the problems facing the farm sector.

"After Chandrababu Naidu came to power, the farmers have not been getting remunerative price for their produce. The problems began during Indira Gandhi's regime and had trebled during Chandrababu Naidu's rule. Only late YSR had helped turn the tide and ensure that the agriculture becomes a celebration," YS Jagan said.

He said his aim was to see smile on the face of every farmer and added that the YSRCP would take suggestions from the farmers while preparing the party's election manifesto. He said his party would strive to improve the condition of the farmers. "We will implement every promise we make," he said. Due to the faulty policies of the TDP, the farmers are not getting remunerative price for black gram, chilli, red gram, Bengal Gram and other crops. He said once his party comes to power, he would constitute a Calamity Relief Fund to stabilise the farmers during natural calamities. He said he would ensure that the Centre gives another Rs 2000 crore for the fund.

Speaking at the conclave, several farmers demanded remunerative prices for their products. Ramachandra Reddy of Bhimavaram wanted the implementation of the reccomendations of Swaminathan Committee. "We are not worried about other pests and viruses. We are worried about Chandrababu virus. He is our biggest worry," Raghuram, another farmer, said.