Farmers protest delay in paddy procurement across Telangana

Farmers in Bhongir and Alair have complained about delays in Vanakalam paddy procurement despite the inauguration of procurement centres. They alleged that middlemen were buying produce at lower prices and questioned elected representatives over the hardships caused by the delay.

Nalgonda: Farmers in several districts are expressing anger over the State government’s delay in procuring paddy cultivated during the Vanakalam season.

They alleged that although the procurement process was officially launched in several places a fortnight ago, officials were yet to purchase their stocks.

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Farmers from Anajipur, Nandanam and Nagireddypalli villages in Bhongir mandal said the prolonged delay was adding to their difficulties.

BRS mandal president Jangam Pandu and State Sarpanch Forum working president Jakka Raghavender Reddy visited paddy procurement centres in these villages on Thursday. They pointed out that Bhongir MLA Kumbham Anil Kumar Reddy had inaugurated procurement centres in every village of the mandal 20 days ago. However, procurement had not started at any of them. The BRS leaders alleged that the Congress government was colluding with rice millers and encouraging a system of middlemen, causing hardship to farmers. They said crops in several areas had withered due to inadequate power and water supply.

Farmers had struggled to save their standing crops, but officials were not purchasing even the limited produce that remained. According to the farmers, middlemen were buying paddy at prices ranging from Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,900 per quintal. They further complained that gunny bags had not reached the threshing floors (kallalu). No rice mills had been allocated for the procurement process either.

BRS leaders and farmers’ organisations have urged the MLA to intervene and ensure that paddy procurement begins without further delay.

Alair MLA questioned by farmers

Meanwhile, farmers also questioned Government Whip and Alair MLA Beela Ilaiah over the delay in procurement during a programme. Videos showing farmers asking the MLA to expedite the process are circulating on social media. The MLA had visited the Agriculture Market Yard in Alair to formally inaugurate a warehouse constructed by the previous BRS government.

Farmers told the MLA that paddy stocks had been arriving at the market yard in large quantities for the past 20 days. However, officials had not started procurement, they alleged. In a video circulating on social media, a farmer from Srinivasapuram is seen questioning the MLA over the delay. “We are here for the past 20 days. We have been facing a lot of hardships due to the delay in procurement,” the farmer said.