Kadapa MP seeks justice for ‘cheated’ farmers

Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy on Thursday demanded the government to allocate chickpea seeds to the scores of farmers who reportedly paid money to a local Horticulture Assistant currently on the run. As the government staff allegedly absconded with the ₹20 lakh money paid for 900 kg of chickpea seeds, over 120 farmers feel cheated and are in a state of desperation.

Pacifying the agitated farmers at Simhadripuram mandal in Pulivendula constituency here on Thursday, Mr. Avinash Reddy pointed out that no action had been taken though three weeks had passed since the local official ran away with the farmers’ money.

“The staff member gave acknowledgement slips signed on white paper, some even without the official rubber stamp mark to the farmers who paid the amount. Some farmers even paid him money towards supply of urea. The innocent farmers should not be penalised as the government staff is the culprit here,” he said.

The MP warned of an agitation in support of the farmers, if the District Collector failed to settle the issue within a week.