Hyderabad: BRS MLA T. Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing farmers due to crop procurement delays across Telangana.
In an open letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Harish Rao alleged that Congress made false promises to farmers before the elections but failed to implement them after coming to power. He questioned why paddy procurement had not fully started even though heaps of grain had reached procurement centres across the state.
He alleged that officials continued deductions in the name of moisture and wastage at procurement centres and rice mills. He also accused the government of ignoring farmers waiting in extreme heat.
Crop procurement delays raise concerns across Telangana
Harish Rao demanded immediate payment of the promised Rs.500 bonus per quintal for fine paddy along with procurement dues. He said delays had increased distress among farmers awaiting payments.
He also criticised sunflower procurement, stating that farmers had been waiting at centres for nearly 20 days. According to him, the Centre procured only a quarter of the sunflower produce, leaving around 1.20 lakh quintals unsold.
In addition, he alleged that chickpea farmers were suffering after procurement stopped at centres. As a result, farmers sold produce to private traders for Rs.3,000 to Rs.4,000 per quintal against the support price of Rs.5,875.
Crop procurement delays affect multiple crops
The BRS leader questioned the delay in opening jowar procurement centres. He also said maize farmers were incurring losses by selling produce for around Rs.2,500 per quintal against the minimum support price of Rs.3,371.
Harish Rao demanded that the government relax the procurement limit of 26.50 quintals per acre for maize farmers. He asked how farmers could sell the remaining produce if yields reached 30 to 40 quintals per acre.
He urged the government to procure all crops at minimum support price without delay. Otherwise, he warned that the party would intensify protests in support of farmers.
