BJP’s protests illogical: Palla Rajeshwar Reddy

Hyderabad: Coming down heavily on BJP State unit for staging protests at district Collectors’ offices and other government offices, Rythu Bandhu Samithi president Palla Rajeshwar Reddy demanded the State BJP leaders to stage protests in front of Central government offices in New Delhi and get written orders from the Centre on paddy procurement in Yasangi season.

Telangana government had already set up 3,550 paddy procurement centres across the State. Till Wednesday evening, 5.11 lakh tonnes of paddy pertaining to Vaanakalam season was procured and about Rs 1,000 crore was deposited into farmers’ accounts, he said at a press conference here on Thursday.

“There is no logic in State BJP leaders’ protests as paddy procurement was already under progress. In fact, they should stage protests in New Delhi demanding the Central government to procure every grain produced in Telangana as it is being done in Punjab,” demanded Palla Rajeshwar Reddy.

The State BJP leaders were deliberately misguiding farmers over procurement to derive political mileage. The Telangana government had already commenced paddy procurement and farmers need not have any apprehensions in this regard, he said.

Paddy was cultivated in 62 lakh acres and farmers were ready to cultivate paddy in 60 to 80 lakh acres this season as well. Due to the Central government’s orders over non-procurement of paddy, they were eagerly awaiting clear assurances from the Centre regarding procurement in Yasangi season, he said.

“If the State BJP leaders are committed to farmers’ welfare, they should exert pressure on the Centre to procure entire paddy produced in Telangana in Yasangi,” demanded Rajeshwar Reddy.

Making light of the BJP protests, he said farmers in Telangana were well aware of the saffron party’s false propaganda and tactics. No farmer was extending support to the protests and it was BJP party workers who were protesting, he ridiculed.

‘Bandi lacks awareness’

On BJP State president Bandi Sanjay’s comments that paddy was not cultivated in 62 lakh acres as claimed by the State government, he said the State BJP leader lacked awareness.

In all the States across the country, the Central government agencies establish testing points to check the extent of crops cultivated and calculate the expected yield. Based on their findings, they submit monthly reports to the Centre on the acreage and other aspects. These details were available with Central and State governments and Bandi Sanjay should get those details before making false claims, Rajeshwar Reddy said.

On the alleged delay in setting up paddy procurement centres, he said there was no delay. The centres would be set up based on the harvest and arrival of stocks. In Nizamabad, yields arrive early compared to other areas. Accordingly, the procurement centres were set up, he explained.

Regarding TRS party leaders planning to stage protests at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park in the city, the Rythu Bandhu Samithi president said protests at Dharna Chowk were prohibited as local residents had lodged complaints in the past. However, following High Court orders, permissions were being granted. Since last few years, protests were being conducted by all the parties and organisations at Dharna Chowk, he informed.

On protests across the State on Friday, he said MLAs, MLCs and other leaders would be staging protests in their respective districts.

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