Harish Warns Govt Over Delay in Paddy Procurement

Hyderabad:Senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao on Monday warned the state government of direct action if it fails to step up paddy procurement in the next two days.

Speaking to media persons after visiting the Ensanpalli paddy procurement centre in Siddipet district, Harish Rao said the government was claiming it was procuring paddy in a mission mode. “In reality, this government is working only in a commission mode. Though 5 kg is being reduced from each quintal as wastage, this government is not bothered,” he said.

“Many farmers are also waiting for days on end for the government to buy their paddy. It is not just here, the situation is the same across the state. This government does not care about farmers, it did not care about fertiliser supply, power supply and failed to disburse Rythu Bandhu funds. And now it is ignoring crop purchases,” Harish Rao said.

He said it was even more shocking to hear civil supplies minister Uttam Kumar Reddy say the government will buy 70 lakh tonnes of paddy after he earlier promised that 90 lakh tonnes will be bought. “Who is to buy the rest of the 70 lakh tonnes of paddy produced this season? Is the government planning to leave the farmers at the mercy of private buyers? If the purchases are not stepped up in two days, I will lead a protest of farmers at the district collectorate,” he said.