Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Monday accused the Congress govt of remaining in cold storage mode while Telangana’s irrigation projects had slipped to dead storage levels, alleging that it had failed to prepare for the drought despite advance warnings.Addressing a party-joining programme at Telangana Bhavan, where businessman Moril Srinivas from Banswada and several workers joined the BRS, KTR said scientists had warned about El Nino six months in advance, but the govt failed to act.“Scientists warned six months in advance about El Nino, yet the govt did nothing. What is the use of holding meetings now? Farmers have already suffered losses,” he said.KTR alleged that the govt lacked planning and understanding of agriculture, claiming farmers were struggling with urea shortage, erratic power supply, paddy procurement issues and inadequate irrigation water. He said the previous BRS government ensured timely Rythu Bandhu payments and took steps to prevent fertiliser shortages.Targeting the Congress over employment promises, KTR said the party had failed to fulfil its pre-election commitment of providing two lakh jobs.“Even after more than two years, they have not provided even 10,000 jobs. It is shameful that they are claiming credit for jobs filled during the KCR govt,” he said.He reiterated his challenge to chief minister A Revanth Reddy over the claim of providing 70,000 jobs.“I said I would resign as MLA if you prove that you gave 70,000 jobs. But Revanth Reddy does not have the courage to accept that challenge,” KTR said.Referring to former assembly speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, who recently joined the Congress, KTR said the people of Banswada had elected him under the BRS banner but he had failed to honour their trust. He urged party workers to ensure Pocharam’s defeat in the next elections.
