BRS alleges Rs 1,000-crore scam in Telangana paddy procurement

BRS leader T Jeevan Reddy alleged large-scale irregularities in paddy procurement, claiming farmers incurred losses while rice millers benefited. He demanded a probe into the alleged Rs 1,000-crore scam and criticised the government's policies on paddy cultivation, fertilisers and farmer welfare.

Hyderabad: BRS general secretary and former Minister T Jeevan Reddy accused the Congress government of presiding over large-scale irregularities in paddy procurement. He said farmers were forced to sell their produce at lower prices, while rice millers pocketed huge gains.

Speaking to mediapersons at Telangana Bhavan on Thursday, Jeevan Reddy stated that farmers lost between Rs 120 and Rs 243 per quintal during procurement and alleged that rice millers had siphoned off paddy worth nearly Rs 1,000 crore. He demanded an immediate inquiry, stating that official weighbridge records would expose the alleged exploitation. He warned that failure to order a probe would raise suspicions about official complicity in the irregularities.

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The BRS leader also criticised the government’s new policy restricting paddy cultivation to only seven varieties, alleging that farmers were being forced to cultivate them under the threat of losing the bonus. He said the move appeared aimed at reducing the government’s procurement burden and demanded assurances that all paddy varieties would be purchased. He cautioned that all seven varieties faced the threat of severe pest attacks and lower yields.

He accused the Congress of failing to fulfil its election promise of providing financial assistance of Rs 15,000 per acre under Rythu Bharosa, while also neglecting the promised Rabi bonus. He urged the government to implement the enhanced assistance at least during the ongoing Vaanakalam (Kharif) season.

Questioning the introduction of an app-based urea distribution system, Jeevan Reddy said farmers were facing unnecessary difficulties in accessing fertilisers. He also sought clarity on the status of the Rythu Bima farmers’ insurance scheme, alleging that bereaved families were making repeated visits to government offices to secure insurance benefits.