DWCRA Women Humiliated As Chandrababu Failed To Fulfill Loan Waiver Promise

Nakkapeta Cross, Srikakulam district: This morning my Padayatra went past a dilapidated boundary wall. It belonged to what was once a throbbing nerve centre of activity, the famous Amadalavalasa Sugar factory. All its glory has been reduced to history, thanks to Chandrababu Naidu. In the past, he sold this factory for a throwaway price for kickbacks and commissions. He also has the dubious distinction of filing cases against farmers who went to court against this decision. During the course of his 2014 election campaign, at a public meeting in Amadalavalasa, he promised to get the sugar factory opened once again, and run it in the cooperative sector. Four years later, when he was reminded of his promise by farmers, he shamelessly told them that the issue was a closed chapter. Perhaps, he is someone who would put even a chameleon to shame when it comes to changing colours.

Usavanipeta is a village famous for artists and sportspersons. Bankupalli Srinivasa Sarma, who won national level awards in Mridangam five timescame to me. He told me joyfully that on three occasions he received the award and a cash prize from my father. He also showed me photographs of these occasions. He lamented that there was no recognition today and it was beginning to go extinct. It is this village which produced weightlifters of international calibre such as Karanam Malleswari and Neelamsetti Lakshmi. Apart from them, I was told that there were several hidden gems in the area of sports in Amadalavalasa. There are weightlifters who had no facilities but a cattle shed for their regular practice and went on to win national awards. They were in an impoverished state, their parents offered support and encouragement to them. I was deeply pained to learn that there were more than 25 sports persons who had won awards at the national level and were now reduced to being petty shopkeepers and pushcart vendors due to lack of recognition and encouragement from the government. Villagers complained that even small outsourcing jobs were denied to these sportsmen. As a result, talented sportsmen are turning away from the idea of pursuing sports, when it made earning a livelihood very difficult for them. I saw the viaduct which my father had built during his tenure for the supply of Vamsadhara water to Srikakulam and Amadalavalasa. It was a pioneering project of its kind to supply water through a system built below the railway track which posed an obstacle. This viaduct is a brilliant example of how something can be accomplished with will and determination.

Women from Venkatapuram who were betrayed by Chandrababu Naidu’s promise of DWCRA loan waivers met me. They had been declared defaulters for believing in Chandrababu Naidu’s promise of loan labourers, they complained. With interest added to their loans they were declared as defaulters and their names were displayed on notice boards in Panchayati Raj offices and banks, they lamented. They were also being sent court notices and officials were coming to their houses to harass them, they said. Unable to bear the humiliation, one woman attempted suicide, they recalled even as some of them sobbed. How inhuman is it to make such promises for one’s own selfish reasons and go back sliding on them putting thousands of women across the state to humiliation?

I have a question for the chief minister—did the women from DWCRA self-help groups seek loan waivers? Did you not put in place a door to door loan waiver campaign at the time of elections? After coming to power, not only did you go back on your promise, you denied these women fresh loans and got them declared as defaulters. Is this not true? Are you not responsible for the humiliation they are being subjected to?