Says NDA government was trying to grab the fertile lands to benefit corporates

Karimnagar: AICC Secretary and Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao opined that farmers’ were not ready to part with their fertile lands for the purpose of establishing industries and special economic zones. This was clear in his interaction with farmers during his tour undertaken ahead of Rahul’s Telugu Rythu Padayatra to be held on May 10 or 11 in Adilabad and Medak districts.

Speaking to the reporters at district party office here on Saturday, Hanumantha Rao alleged that in order to benefit big business persons, the NDA government was trying to grab the fertile lands from farmers by bringing in new land acquisition act. According to previous land acquisition bill brought by the Congress-led UPA government in 2013, land would be acquired with the consent of the farmers, he said.

BJP had also agreed for that bill. But now, NDA government was trying to impose the bill on the farmers and take their lands forcefully to benefit big business persons. Referring to the High Court’s refusal to the Andhra Pradesh government’s plan to take lands from the farmers to construct new capital city, he demanded the Telangana government to clear its stance on the Centre’s new land policy.

Sharply reacting to the BJP leaders’ allegations that farmers suicides were rampant under the UPA rule, he said there were also suicides under the Narendra Modi government. VHR blamed BJP leaders for making false propaganda against Rahul Gandhi that the latter does not know agriculture and farmers problems. Instead of travelling in vehicles, AICC Vice-President wants to walk at least eight kilometers and interact with farmers to know their problems.

Rahul will also visit the family members of the farmers’ who committed suicides, he informed. “It is the responsibility of every party worker to make the programme a grand success,” AICC Secretary appealed to the Congress workers of Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts. In the morning, VHR toured various villages in Ghambiraopet mandal and interacted with farmers to know their problems. He demanded the State government speed up the process of purchasing of paddy crop dumped at PPC centres across the district.