Hyderabad, May 17: Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, has accused the Congress-led Telangana government of delaying rice procurement from farmers. He stated that the state government bears no financial burden for rice purchases, as the entire cost is covered by the central government.
During a press conference in Hyderabad, Reddy emphasized that the central government is providing all necessary funds for rice procurement. Therefore, the state government should clarify why there are delays in the procurement process. He pointed out that the central government is already covering expenses for bags, transportation, loans for payments, interest on those loans, and warehouse rentals.
Reddy noted that Telangana is currently the leading state in rice production in the country. With the central government stepping in to facilitate rice procurement, the process should run smoothly, ensuring that farmers face no difficulties.
He alleged that the state government is attempting to shift the blame for its negligence onto the central government and administrative officials. Reddy claimed that farmers in several areas are protesting on the streets, demanding the purchase of their crops. He expressed confusion over the state government’s failure despite the central government’s full support for rice procurement.
The BJP leader mentioned that the central government purchases two major crops in Telangana: rice and cotton. While rice procurement is managed through the state government, cotton is purchased directly by the central government. He criticized the state government for its negligence regarding rice procurement.
Reddy urged all state ministers to visit their respective districts, focus on procurement activities, and address farmers’ issues. He stated that ministers should not just hold press conferences in air-conditioned rooms in Hyderabad.
He also highlighted that the central government provides farmers with a 45-kilogram bag of urea for just 242 rupees, despite its actual cost being 2,500 rupees. Reddy noted that even with rising fertilizer prices globally, the central government has not increased the price of urea for farmers in several years.
Additionally, he criticized the state government for not implementing the crop insurance scheme effectively. He alleged that the agricultural loan waiver scheme has not been fully executed, and promises made to agricultural laborers and tenant farmers remain unfulfilled. Reddy stated that due to the government’s negligence, millions of farmers have become bank defaulters.
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