India, Oct. 27 -- In an unprecedented move, the Congress government in Telangana is obtaining self-declaration forms from farmers stating that they intend to cultivate paddy during the upcoming Rabi season despite the government's advisory against it, citing prevailing El Nino conditions. the self - declaration form made it clear that the government will not have any responsibility for loss of crop.

Farmers allege that the government is coercing them into signing these declarations through fertiliser dealers who sell seeds. They claim that the government's inability to ensure adequate irrigation water and an uninterrupted power supply for agricultural activities is pushing them into further hardship.

The key question, however, remains: ...