FEW TAKERS FOR ‘GIVE UP SOP’ APPEAL
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s appeal to the ministers in his government, and his party MLAs, MLCs and MPs to give up the annual `8,000 per acre farmers’ sop voluntarily to help needy farmers from the poorer sections has so far only received lukewarm response.
The CM made an appeal to this effect on February 26 while addressing a regional conference of Farmers’ Coordination Councils. In the meeting, Mr Rao announced his decision of giving up the sop voluntarily and urged all rich farmers to emulate him. Mr Rao owns an 85-acre farm in Erravelli near the city outskirts, making him eligible to claim `6.8 lakh every year. However, only three ministers in the state cabinet, besides 10 MLAs and two MPs, have offered to give up subsidy so far.
The CM has decided to appeal again to all rich farmers to give up subsidy during the ensuing TRS Plenary on April 27.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s appeal to the ministers in his government, and his party MLAs, MLCs and MPs to give up the annual `8,000 per acre farmers’ sop voluntarily to help needy farmers from the poorer sections has so far only received lukewarm response.
Mr Rao argues that the amount thus saved would be deposited with farmers’ coordination councils, which would be utilised for the benefit of farmers and the government will not take back unclaimed amount.
Finance minister Etela Rajender, who owns 10 acres of cultivable land, was the first one to respond positively to the CM’s appeal and announced the giving up of subsidy. Later, the transport minister and his family members, who own over 100 acres, have announced giving up the benefit.
Speaker S. Madhusudhana Chary, who owns 3.5 acres, announced in Assembly that he will not avail the benefit.
Mahabubabad MP Sitharam Naik, who owns 3.5 acres and thus eligible for `28,000 sop, too has given up subsidy.
Banda Prakash, who was recently elected to Rajya Sabha and owns 8.5 acres, and MLA Errabelli Dayakar Rao, who owns 50 acres and eligible for `4 lakh, have both responded positively to the CM’s call.
Janagoan MLA Muthireddy Yadagirireddy, who owns 10 acres, said that he will request the government to utilise the amount he has given up for welfare of students.