Alampalli Venkateshwar Reddy Inspects Dried Paddy Crops in Devarakadra, Demands Farmer Compensation

Former MLA Ala Venkateshwar Reddy visited Dokur village in Devarakadra mandal of Mahabubnagar district and inspected paddy fields that had dried up due to a lack of irrigation water. He met affected farmers and enquired about their losses. Criticising the Congress government, he alleged that administrative negligence had contributed to the irrigation crisis. He questioned why water could not be supplied to local agricultural projects when, according to him, water could be diverted over long distances in neighbouring states. He also claimed that water could have been pumped from the Jurala project to replenish Koilsagar, but the authorities failed to take the necessary steps.

Venkateshwar Reddy said paddy crops had withered despite water reportedly being available in Koilsagar for two crop seasons, alleging that irrigation water had not been released to farmers. He demanded that the government declare Mahabubnagar district drought-hit and provide compensation of ₹50,000 per acre to every farmer who suffered crop losses. During the visit, a farmer named Janakamma reportedly broke down while explaining that she had cultivated paddy on 13 acres, invested approximately ₹35,000 per acre and suffered losses after the crops dried up. Farmers said around 400 of the 600 acres under paddy cultivation in Dokur village had dried up. They appealed to the government to intervene and provide relief.