Hyderabad: Union minister G. Kishan Reddy on Saturday accused the Congress government of failing to deliver the “change” it promised and of neglecting farmers, whom he said were being squeezed between the administration, rice millers, officials and middlemen.
Speaking at the BJP state office, Kishan Reddy blamed lack of political will for distress in the farm sector and pointed to unseasonal rains and lapses that left produce piled in market yards. “Farmers’ interests are being sidelined, and the whole system revolves around other interests,” he said, adding that BJP legislators’ “Raitu Gosa — BJP Bharosa” tour had exposed the administration’s inaction while ministers remained confined to offices.
He stressed that management of procurement centres, purchases and movement of paddy to rice mills fall squarely within the state’s remit. Under pre‑season agreements, Telangana was to deliver 5.225 million metric tonnes of rice to the FCI for Kharif and Rabi, and the Centre had agreed to procure that quantity. “The state must answer why it could not carry out purchases fully when such an agreement existed,” he said, calling it “highly objectionable” to shift blame to the Centre.
The minister criticised neglect of coarse‑rice farmers and failure to provide seeds for higher‑demand grain types. He accused the administration of prioritising commissions, contracts and land dealings over farmers’ needs.
Kishan Reddy also highlighted gaps in planning for alternative rice varieties and marketing strategies. He cited national procurement figures, saying of roughly 8.7 million tonnes procured across India, the Centre had taken about 5.1 million tonnes from Telangana, pointing to the Centre’s commitment.
Recalling the 2020–21 Rabi season, he said the state failed to supply rice to the FCI despite nine deadline extensions, and similar lapses persisted. He said it was wrong to criticise the Centre without first meeting the year’s procurement target of 5.224 million tonnes.
On PDS costs, he said the Centre bears Rs 41.73 per kg for free‑ration rice against the state’s Rs 15.69, yet distribution outlets display only state leaders’ photos. Kishan Reddy urged the government to draw up a comprehensive plan, hold consultations with farmer organisations, and fulfil its primary responsibility for paddy procurement rather than shifting blame.
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