Delayed payments worry paddy farmers in Telangana

Farmers in Yadadri Bhongir district, particularly in the Ghatkesar region, are growing increasingly frustrated as they have not received payments for their harvested paddy even after 10 days

Hyderabad: Despite claims by the State government that over Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated to support Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, delays in payment to paddy farmers are causing significant distress at different places. Officials are attributing it to technical reasons.

Farmers in Yadadri Bhongir district, particularly in the Ghatkesar region, are growing increasingly frustrated as they have not received payments for their harvested paddy even after 10 days.

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According to government regulations, payments for procured paddy are supposed to be credited into farmers’ bank accounts within 48 hours of procurement. However, bureaucratic delays have led to prolonged waiting periods, forcing farmers to turn to middlemen at a loss.

In Ghatkesar Mandal, procurement centers in villages such as Edulabad and Madharam were set up a month ago, while another center was inaugurated in Pratap Singaram on October 25. Yet, even with these procurement efforts in place, the payment process is taking more than three days to one week.

This delay is proving costly for many, with some selling their paddy to middlemen at significantly reduced prices due to financial pressures.

“We were promised quick payments, but it’s been over 10 days and nothing has come through. The officials assured us that payments would be deposited within two days, but that hasn’t happened,” said one farmer from Edulabad.

“Now we are forced to sell to middlemen, but the price is lower, and we’re making a loss,” he added.

The government had announced an allocation of over Rs 20,000 crore to support the MSP operations for Kharif crops. However, the delay in payments is undermining the confidence of farmers, who are already dealing with fluctuating market prices and weather uncertainties.

In response to the mounting frustration, Civil Supplies Department District Manager Sugunabai assured farmers that the delays were due to “technical reasons” and promised that payments would be credited to their accounts within the next two days.

Meanwhile, in Suryapet district, paddy procurement has only just begun, and farmers there remain hopeful that payments will follow the promptness seen in previous years.

To ensure smooth operations, Civil Supplies Commissioner D.S. Chouhan conducted a surprise inspection of the paddy procurement centers two days ago in Nalgonda district.

“The situation is very tense. If these delays continue, it could seriously affect farmers’ trust in the entire procurement process,” said another farmer from Ghatkesar. “We need to see action, not just assurances.”

The ongoing payment delays have raised questions about the efficiency of the government machinery overseeing the MSP operations.

With farmers already facing economic pressures, any prolonged uncertainty could have significant consequences, not only for the financial stability of these farming communities but also for the overall effectiveness of MSP programs meant to support them .