Farmers protest procurement delays, set paddy sacks on fire in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri

Farmers in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district staged protests over delays in paddy procurement, citing shortages of staff, transport and storage facilities. While farmers blocked a road in Namile village, others in Dubbaka set paddy sacks on fire in protest.

Nalgonda: Despite the Congress government’s claims over expediting the paddy procurement exercise, farmers continued to stage protests at different parts of the State and set fire to the paddy sacks.

Expressing outrage over the inordinate delay in procurement, farmers from Namile village in Rajapeta Mandal in Yadadri Bhongir staged a road blockade on Saturday. Apart from the delay in procurement, the farmers complained over a few other issues, including the delay in the weighing process, and hardships faced due to abnormal deductions.

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The farmers staged a sit-in at the Namile crossroads and carried out the road blockade. They demanded the government to immediately expedite procurement and ensure necessary amenities were provided at the procurement centers.

It has been weeks since the stocks were brought to the procurement centres. Due to unseasonal rains, many were forced to spend sleepless nights protecting the stocks, the farmers complained. They also expressed concern over the losses to be suffered in case of unseasonal rains.

The farmers alleged that procurement operations were proceeding slowly due to a shortage of adequate staff at the centers, scarcity of gunny bags and transport vehicles.

“Even after the stocks are weighed, there are delays in transporting them to the mills. This apart, lack of storage space is creating difficulties for farmers arriving with fresh stocks,” the farmers charged.

Upon receiving information about the farmers protest, police and revenue officials arrived at the scene and held discussions with the farmers. They gave an assurance to farmers that they would bring their issues to the attention of higher officials and expedite the procurement process.

Farmers set fire to paddy sacks

Meanwhile, farmers in Dubbaka village, Ramannapeta Mandal in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district set fire to paddy sacks in a fit of rage after their stocks brought to the market two months ago were not purchased to this day.