CLP refutes CPI(M) remarks on model farmer concept

Hyderabad, May 23 (UNI) The Congress Legislature Party today took great exception to the remarks made by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) that the model farmers selected by the Government were ''brokers of the Congress''.

Addressing a press conference here, State Information and Public Relations Minister Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy said the Government had selected 25,000 Model Farmers, one for every 200 or 250 agricultural families in the village, and given training to them to create awareness among the peasants about the new farming techniques. This was in keeping with the recommendation of National Commission of Farmers Chairman M S Swaminathan.

Stating that the CPI(M)'s remarks were aimed at insulting the farming community in the State, he said it was only to divert the people's attention from the welfare schemes initiated by the Government for ryots.

The Minister said the State Government's main aim was to protect the interests of the farmers and improve their economic conditons.

The Government had taken up several irrigation projects with a view to provide irrigated water to one crore acres in the State and improve agricultural production.

Mr Reddy said there was no meaning in the CPI(M)'s present land grabbing agitation when the Government was distributing lands to landless poor. The Government had distributed 4.37 lakh acres of land in the State during the last three years, he added.

He said the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which had neglected the agriculture sector during its nine-year rule, had no right to comment on the Government's programmes. The farmers of the State had appreciated the Government's efforts in improving their economic condition and agricultural production.

UNI