Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday accused the Union government of failing to procure harvested crops and urged Left parties to strengthen the crop procurement fight against the Centre.
During a meeting with a CPM delegation at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister alleged that the Union government limited its role to announcing Minimum Support Prices while avoiding responsibility in actual procurement operations.
Revanth Reddy claimed the Centre was not procuring even 30 percent of harvested paddy and maize. In contrast, he said the Telangana government was purchasing every grain cultivated by farmers across the state.
He appealed to CPM leaders to intensify the crop procurement fight and build pressure on the Centre to improve procurement operations for farmers.
The Chief Minister also informed the delegation about difficulties faced at procurement centres. According to him, a shortage of Hamalis affected procurement activities because many loaders travelled to West Bengal during the election period.
He further said severe heatwave conditions disrupted work during afternoon hours at procurement centres in several districts.
Crop procurement fight discussed with CPM leaders
Revanth Reddy said the Telangana government continued reviewing procurement operations regularly to prevent inconvenience to farmers. He stated that the state was already paying a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine variety paddy.
He also said the government ensured MSP support for maize farmers to provide relief during the procurement season.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed CPM leaders on the Musi Rejuvenation project and rehabilitation measures for displaced families living along the river.
He said the government sanctioned houses for affected families and planned to transform the Musi riverfront into a world-class tourism and employment hub.
At the same time, Revanth Reddy criticised the BRS and BJP for politicising the Musi project. He alleged that pollution in the Musi river affected residents of Nalgonda district.
The Chief Minister also discussed education reforms and said the government was improving access to quality education through Telangana public schools, breakfast schemes and midday meal programmes.
The CPM delegation, led by State Secretary John Wesley, thanked the government for introducing the Minimum Wages Amendment Act during the meeting attended by senior party leaders and public representatives.
