Total of 6,121 farmers had committed suicides during the BRS tenure and the BRS leaders had no right to speak about the issue of farmers.

-Sridhar Babu Minister for IT and Industries

metro india news  I hyderabad

In a sharp rebuke to the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Minister for IT and Industries Sridhar Babu has criticised the BRS leaders for shedding crocodile tears on the issue of farmers.

He alleged that a total of 6,121 farmers had committed suicides during the BRS tenure and the BRS leaders had no right to speak about the issue of farmers.

In a statement here on Tuesday, Sridhar Babu criticised BRS leaders for their "feigned love" for farmers while the opposition strives to address their plight through the ‘Rythu Bharosa’ scheme.

The Minister questioned the moral stance of the BRS, pointing out how Rs.25,672 crores were allegedly funneled to non-agricultural lands, stone boulders, and real estate plots under the pretext of ‘Rythu Bandhu’ between 2018-19 and 2022-23.

He urged the BRS to reflect on its governance, which saw the farming community grapple with severe challenges, particularly tenant farmers, who suffered immense hardships.

Highlighting grim statistics, Minister Sridhar Babu stated that 6,121 farmers ended their lives in Telangana from 2014 to 2022 due to mounting debts and the lack of government support. He cited data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), disclosed in Parliament in 2022, to substantiate his claims.

"The plight of farmers under the BRS rule has been devastating. Tenant farmers, in particular, faced insurmountable difficulties, and the families of farmers who committed suicide continue to suffer. The burden of their untimely deaths lies on your governance," Sridhar Babu remarked.

He also reminded the BRS that the current government fulfilled its promise by waiving Rs.21,000 crores of farm loans, despite inheriting a state mired in debt due to financial mismanagement.

"It is ironic that you criticise us for taking corrective measures when you should be appreciating our initiatives aimed at the welfare of farmers," he added. Sridhar Babu urged the BRS leaders to stop misleading the people with falsehoods. Instead, he called on them to engage with the people, understand their challenges, and work toward meaningful solutions.

"Step out of your media appearances and witness the ground realities. Only then can you comprehend the impact of our governance and the good it has done for the people," he said.