BRS, BJP Must Stop False Campaign on Paddy Procurement

Nalgonda: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday asked opposition parties BRS and BJP to avoid “false propaganda” on paddy procurement, alleging attempts to create confusion among farmers for political gain.

He, along with revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu, carried out surprise inspections at a paddy procurement center in Vangapally and an FCI godown at Ramajipeta in Yadadri-Bhongir district.

Addressing the media, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the BJP leaders in the state did not pressure the Center to increase the procurement limit for Telangana, but visited the procurement centres. He also criticized BRS leaders for targeting the Congress government on this issue and stated that the procurement has exceeded the levels recorded in the previous regime.

He said the state government would procure “every grain” of paddy produced by farmers despite financial constraints. “Farmers need not panic, as every grain of paddy produced by them will be procured,” he said, adding that even rain-soaked paddy would be procured.

The minister directed officials in the revenue, civil supplies and police departments to coordinate efforts to expedite procurement and ensure farmers do not face hardship. He said payments will be transferred to farmers’ bank accounts within 48 hours from the date of purchase. He also instructed the temporary use of sand transport vehicles to transport the supplied paddy to the rice mills.

Srinivas Reddy said that record production has been reported in the current prohibition season and assured farmers of purchasing at the Minimum Support Price. Sridhar Babu said that the state will protect the interests of farmers and supply the entire crop regardless of the limits set by the Centre.

The ministers later held a review meeting with officials at the District Integrated Offices Complex in Bhongir to review the procurement operations.