Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has launched a sharp attack on the central government over its agricultural procurement policies, stating that while the Centre announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops, it procures less than 30% of the produce. His remarks come amid mounting pressure from opposition parties, including the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), over the state's procurement row.
CM's Statement on MSP and Procurement
Speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad, Reddy highlighted the disparity between the Centre's announcements and actual procurement. He said, 'The central government announces MSP for crops but procures less than 30% of the total produce. This leaves farmers at the mercy of private buyers who often pay below the support price.' The Chief Minister accused the Centre of failing to ensure that farmers receive the promised prices for their crops.
Opposition Pressure Mounts
The CM's comments come as the opposition BRS and BJP have been criticizing the Telangana government over its handling of agricultural procurement. BRS leaders have alleged that the state government is not doing enough to procure crops from farmers, while BJP has demanded better implementation of central schemes. Reddy, however, turned the tables on the Centre, arguing that the real failure lies with the Union government's procurement mechanisms.
Revanth Reddy emphasized that his government is committed to supporting farmers and has taken several steps to improve procurement in the state. He cited examples of Telangana's own procurement initiatives, which he claimed have been more effective than central programs. 'We have procured over 60% of the crops in the state, ensuring farmers get fair prices,' he added.
Background of the Procurement Row
The procurement issue has been a contentious topic in Telangana, with farmers demanding better prices and timely procurement. The state government has been under fire from opposition parties for alleged delays and inefficiencies. The CM's latest remarks are seen as an attempt to deflect criticism and shift the focus to the Centre's shortcomings.
Political analysts believe that the MSP and procurement debate will intensify as assembly elections approach. The CM's strong stance may resonate with farmers, a key voting bloc in the state. Meanwhile, the central government has not yet responded to Reddy's allegations.
