Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy set a deadline to complete paddy procurement by the first week of June and assured farmers that the government would buy every grain produced during the Yasangi season.
The minister inspected procurement centres at Thirumalagiri and Phanigiri in Suryapet district. He reviewed stock lifting, transport arrangements and farmer payments. He also interacted with farmers and officials managing procurement operations.
Accompanied by Tungaturthi MLA Mandula Samuel and district officials, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the large-scale procurement drive was progressing smoothly. He said rice mills had already received large quantities of paddy. As a result, pressure at procurement centres had reduced significantly.
The minister said Telangana procured nearly 64 lakh metric tonnes of paddy through 8,575 procurement centres. He described it as the largest procurement network created in the state’s history.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government was purchasing rain-damaged paddy at the Minimum Support Price. Therefore, farmers would not suffer losses because of unseasonal rains. He assured growers that officials would continue purchases until they completed procurement.
Paddy procurement records major progress
The minister praised collectors, MLAs and civil supplies teams for managing operations efficiently. He directed officials to finish procurement in Suryapet by the first week of June. He also issued similar instructions to officials in Nalgonda district.
According to the minister, the government transferred ₹11,500 crore directly into the accounts of 9.31 lakh farmers. Most farmers now receive payments within 48 to 72 hours. Earlier, many farmers waited weeks or even months for payments.
To tackle transport shortages, the government deployed available lorries and heavy vehicles for paddy movement. Consequently, officials expect faster stock lifting from procurement centres.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also criticised the Centre’s procurement policy. He said Telangana was ready to procure up to 75 lakh metric tonnes. However, the Union government agreed to purchase only about 51 lakh metric tonnes. As a result, the state had to bear an additional financial burden.
The minister said Telangana had emerged as the country’s leading rice-producing state. He added that the state accounted for nearly 63 per cent of India’s Yasangi paddy purchases.
He expressed confidence that officials would complete the remaining procurement on schedule. Meanwhile, government departments will continue round-the-clock operations until they move all stocks to rice mills.
Uttam Hails Paddy Procurement Success
Sets June First week Deadline for completing procurement process
64 LMT Procured till date
Rs 11,500 Crore Paid to 9.31 Lakh Farmers
The Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said today that the State Government’s… pic.twitter.com/nZ1P4RBiyG
— IPRDepartment (@IPRTelangana) June 1, 2026
