Former minister T Harish Rao has warned that he, along with thousands of farmers, will besiege the Siddipet collectorate if paddy procurement is not completed within two days. The BRS deputy floor leader alleged that the Congress government, which claims to work on mission mode, is actually operating on commission mode.
Visit to Procurement Centre
Rao visited the paddy procurement centre at Ensanpalli village in Siddipet urban mandal on Monday and inquired about the hardships faced by farmers who have been waiting for days at threshing floors. Speaking to the media later, he strongly condemned the state government's failure in paddy procurement.
Government Negligence Alleged
Harish Rao stated, "The state government has no concern for farmers. Due to its negligence, lakhs of farmers are suffering today. The Congress government has failed in urea supply, electricity, and disbursement of Rythu Bandhu, and now it has completely failed in procuring the paddy that farmers toiled year-round to grow." He added that even during the tenures of KCR in Telangana and YSR, Rosaiah, and Kiran Kumar Reddy in undivided Andhra Pradesh, farmers never faced such pain and hardship.
Procurement Target Discrepancy
While the state's paddy yield stands at 1.40 crore tons, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy initially stated that 90 lakh metric tons would be procured but later reduced the figure to 70 lakh tons. Rao questioned, "Does that mean the remaining 70 lakh tons of farmers' produce should be sold to middlemen at a loss?"
Blame Game and Past Actions
Rao accused the Congress government of blaming the Centre for the procurement failure. He recalled that when the Centre refused to procure paddy during KCR's tenure, KCR along with ministers and MLAs staged a dharna in Delhi and forced the Centre to relent. Even when the Centre did not buy, KCR himself procured the paddy to ensure farmers suffered no loss. Rao urged the current government to go to Delhi and fight for farmers instead of drowning them.
Empty Statements Alleged
The former minister alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, sitting in air-conditioned rooms, makes tough statements about penalizing those who make deductions at procurement centres, and Minister Uttam talks about strict action, but these are just dialogues.
Farmers' Plight in Siddipet
Harish Rao highlighted that farmers from various villages in his constituency, including Nanganur, Khanapur, Khata, Venkatpur, Narmeta, Palamakula, Siddipet Urban, Ensanpalli, Mittapalli, Ravurukal, Raghavapur, Mallaram, and Sikandalpur, have been calling him since morning. He said millers are blackmailing farmers, demanding 43 kg per sack instead of the standard, causing farmers to lose 150 kg per acre. When this issue was brought to the District Supply Officer's attention, he irresponsibly told farmers to sort it out with the millers themselves.
Lack of Ministerial Visits
Rao noted that not a single minister is visiting procurement centres. Even as farmers stage road blockades at Mittapalli, Nanganur, and Chinnakodur, the government shows no compassion, he said.
