Nalgonda: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday asked Opposition parties BRS and BJP to refrain from “false propaganda” on paddy procurement, alleging attempts to create confusion among farmers for political gain.
Along with revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and IT minister D. Sridhar Babu, he conducted surprise inspections at a paddy procurement centre in Vangapally and an FCI godown at Ramajipeta in Yadadri-Bhongir district.
Addressing the media, Uttam Kumar Reddy said BJP leaders from the state were not pressuring the Centre to enhance the procurement limit for Telangana but were visiting procurement centres. He also criticised BRS leaders for targeting the Congress government on the issue, stating that procurement had surpassed levels recorded during 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 of the revenue, civil supplies and police departments to coordinate efforts to expedite procurement and avoid inconvenience to farmers. He said payments would be credited to farmers’ bank accounts within 48 hours of purchase. He also instructed that sand transport vehicles be temporarily used for shifting procured paddy to rice mills.
Srinivas Reddy said record production was reported in the current yasangi season and assured farmers of procurement at Minimum Support Price. Sridhar Babu said the state would protect farmers’ interests irrespective of limits fixed by the Centre and procure the entire produce.
The ministers later held a review meeting with officials at the District Integrated Offices Complex in Bhongir to assess procurement operations.
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