Andhra Pradesh - Cuddapah   

CPI leader opposes separate Rayalaseema

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, JULY 21. The CPI State Secretariat member and former MLA, K. Ramakrishna, on Wednesday opposed the demand for statehood to Rayalaseema region and termed it irrational.

Addressing a press conference here, the ex-MLA questioned the scope for development of the region if it separated as it lacked adequate irrigation projects and industries. Moreover, the people of Nellore, Bellary and Raichur were disinclined to align with Rayalaseema and form a separate State, he stated. The viable option under the prevailing circumstances was to exert pressure on the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to implement a special package for Rayalaseema, as he was well-versed with the local problems.

Lamenting that farmers continued to commit suicide in some parts of the State, Mr. Ramakrishna demanded that the Government waive outstanding loans up to Rs. 30,000, reschedule bank loans and issue fresh loans to debt-ridden ryots.

While commercial and regional rural banks were negligent in extending loans to farmers, private moneylenders stopped lending due to a six-month moratorium announced by the Government, he stated at a press conference here. Of the 4,600 primary agricultural cooperative societies in the State, only 800 were financially stable and the rest were unable to pay salaries to their staff or issue crop loans to farmers, he observed. Mr. Ramakrishna felt that the announcement of ex-gratia to the kin of suicide victims, moratorium on outstanding loans and delay in bringing to force the Rs. 1,200-crore power dues waiver, were unable to put an end to farmers' suicides, which have become a daily feature. The farmers were not in a position to raise crops even in ayacut areas due to lack of storage in reservoirs.

The district CPI secretary, G. Obulesu, also participated in the press conference.

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