Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao has demanded that the state government address the paddy procurement issue during the cabinet meeting scheduled for May 23 and announce corrective measures. He urged the government to procure all grains at procurement centres without further delay and ensure that farmers receive payments immediately. Rao also demanded that the Congress government announce an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh each to the families of farmers who reportedly lost their lives near procurement centres due to the government's negligence.
Letter to Chief Minister
In a letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday, KTR alleged that the Congress government has pushed Telangana farmers into unprecedented distress through administrative negligence, failed procurement management, and anti-farmer policies. He stated that farmers across Telangana have been waiting helplessly at procurement centres for nearly two months.
Farmers' Protests
“The farmers are holding protests, dharnas, and road blockades daily across the state demanding justice. There is not a single farmer in Telangana who has not taken to the streets. There is not a single highway where protests and road blockades have not taken place,” KTR said in the letter.
He expressed anguish that several farmers have reportedly collapsed and died near procurement centres due to heatstroke, stress, and prolonged waiting. He criticised the Chief Minister for allegedly failing to visit even a single procurement centre despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Background
The paddy procurement process in Telangana has been marred by delays and mismanagement, leading to widespread protests from farmers. The state government has faced criticism from opposition parties for its handling of the situation. The upcoming cabinet meeting is expected to discuss measures to resolve the crisis.
