Hyderabad: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday said the state government's intensified paddy procurement drive was yielding positive results, with a significant portion of paddy stocks already lifted from purchase centres and transported to rice mills.
Field Inspection in Suryapet
Continuing his field inspection drive, Uttam visited procurement centres at Thirumalagiri and Phanigiri in Suryapet district. He reviewed the pace of purchases, lifting of stocks, transport arrangements, and payments to farmers. Accompanying him were Tungaturthi MLA Mandula Samuel and district and civil supplies officials. The minister interacted with farmers and officials overseeing the ongoing Yasangi paddy procurement operations.
Procurement Milestones
Telangana has so far procured nearly 64 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy through 8,575 procurement centres, the highest ever network created for paddy purchases in the state. The massive procurement exercise is paying off, with large quantities of paddy already moved to mills, reducing pressure on procurement centres. Uttam stated, "We are determined to purchase every grain brought by the farmers to the procurement centres. Even rain-soaked paddy is being purchased at Minimum Support Price (MSP). Farmers need not worry. The government will stand by them till the last grain is bought."
Financial Transfers and Timelines
The minister directed officials to complete procurement in Suryapet by the end of June first week and said similar instructions had been issued to officials in Nalgonda district. He informed that the government had already transferred Rs 11,500 crore directly into the bank accounts of 9.31 lakh farmers towards paddy procured from them in the state.
Addressing Transport Shortages
To overcome transport shortages, Uttam said the government had directed officials to deploy all available lorries and heavy vehicles for paddy movement until procurement was completed.
Criticism of Centre's Policy
Uttam criticised the central government's procurement policy. While Telangana was ready to procure up to 75 LMT, the Union government was agreeing to purchase only about 51 LMT, forcing the state to bear a heavy financial burden. He expressed confidence that the remaining procurement would be completed on schedule and assured farmers that the government machinery would continue working round the clock until total stocks were purchased and moved to mills.
