‘Centre discouraging Telangana from paying more than MSP for Paddy’
Chandrashekhar Rao accused the BJP leaders for claiming credit for the State government schemes while the Centre continues to impose restrictions on the State's efforts.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao came down heavily on the Centre for imposing restrictions on the State governments against providing remunerative prices to farmers for their produce. He called upon the farmers to unite and raise their voice against injustice being meted out by the Centre. He stated that rather than supporting the farmers during these troubled times of Covid pandemic, the Centre was restricting the States against making any such efforts.
Addressing the farmers after inaugurating the much-awaited Rythu Vedika at Kodakandla in Jangaon district on Saturday, Chandrashekhar Rao said the Centre had announced Rs 1,888 per quintal paddy as Minimum Support Price (MSP). Though the State government was ready to pay more than the MSP, the Centre through the Food Corporation of India issued guidelines restricting payment of any additional price other than MSP.
“Telangana State is ready to pay more than MSP to farmers for their paddy, but the FCI declared that it will not purchase paddy from the States which resort to such actions,” he said while showing the letter written by the FCI to the State government.
The Chief Minister pointed out that many developed countries provide subsidies to encourage farming, but no such effort was being made in India. He wanted the farmers to unite and send a strong message to the Centre from the platform of Rythu Vedikas in the State, seeking for their rights.
“Farmers should make optimum use of Rythu Vedikas and work collectively with fellow farmers. It is high time farmers united to show their strength,” he added.
Chandrashekhar Rao accused the BJP leaders for claiming credit for the State government schemes, while the Centre continues to impose restrictions on the State’s efforts. He rubbished the claims of the BJP leaders that the Centre was contributing over 75 per cent funds for Aasara pensions. “The State government is providing Aasara pensions to about 38.64 lakh beneficiaries at an annual expenditure of nearly Rs 11,000 crore. The Centre is contributing a meagre Rs 105 crore for providing Rs 200 pension each covering only seven lakh beneficiaries. If any BJP leader can prove me wrong, I am ready to resign to the Chief Minister’s post immediately,” he challenged.
He vowed to end the woes of farmers on all fronts to make agriculture profitable and urged their support in this regard. He reiterated that the State government will purchase paddy from the doorsteps of farmers in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and urged them to avoid gatherings at market yards or procurement centres.
“Telangana is the only State in the country to be purchasing the entire paddy crop from farmers in view of the pandemic,” he said and urged farmers to work collectively under Rythu Vedikas. He was confident that the Rythu Vedikas will empower farmers to plan their crop sowings, harvesting and also decide price for their produce. The construction of about 1,580 of total 2,601 Rythu Vedikas has been completed, while the remaining structures are nearing completion and will be ready within a couple of weeks.
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