New Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) Congress vice president in Telangana Kota Neelima on Friday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of indulging in “communal theatrics” during his recent visit to Hyderabad and failing to announce central assistance for the state’s drought-hit districts.
She also accused the BJP of engaging in political theatre instead of addressing the concerns of Telangana’s people.
“Telangana has declared drought in 365 mandals across 31 districts but Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered no Central assistance on his recent visit to Hyderabad and, instead, did the usual communal theatrics,” Neelima said in a statement.
She said rural and urban areas of the state were facing economic uncertainty due to drought, with farmers suffering crop losses and shortages of food and drinking water.
“At this time, the Union Home Minister visits Telangana and speaks about communal issues. This is Amit Shah’s ‘let them eat cake’ moment. He is behaving like the arrogant aristocracy that led to the revolution,” she said.
Neelima said the Congress government was taking measures to protect households from the impact of drought and would continue to seek assistance from the Centre.
“Hindu-Muslim politics cannot address a drought. Farmers need relief, agricultural labourers need employment, and families need protection from its economic consequences. Urban Telangana and Hyderabad need support through drinking water restoration. The BJP must explain why Telangana’s most pressing concerns found no place in Amit Shah’s address,” she said.
She said Telangana recorded a 24 per cent rainfall deficit between June 1 and October 31, and the state government was seeking Rs 30,000 crore in drought relief.
The demands include assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), a central assessment team, release of the Centre’s share under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), crop-loss assistance, input subsidies and support for drinking water, fodder and groundwater restoration. The state has also sought 50 additional days of employment under VB-G RAM G.
Neelima asked Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar to explain what they had done to secure assistance for the state.
She accused the BJP leadership of failing to distinguish political rivalry from constitutional responsibility. PTI SKC
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