Farmers set fire to paddy sacks and lock a warehouse in Yadadri Bhongir over delay in procurement

Farmers in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district staged protests against delays in paddy procurement, alleging negligence by officials and millers. Unseasonal rains damaged paddy stocks in several mandals, while farmers complained about slow transportation and procurement operations at various centres

Nalgonda: Despite the Congress government’s claims of expediting paddy procurement, farmers continued to stage protests over delays, negligence by officials and the slow pace of procurement.

Farmers in Bondugula village of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district staged a protest on Tuesday, setting fire to paddy sacks in anger over the prolonged stagnation of stocks at procurement centres and the alleged indifferent attitude of officials and millers.

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The agitating farmers expressed concern that unseasonal rains lashing several parts of the State could damage their produce and push them into further losses. They said that although harvesting had been completed and stocks transported to procurement centres, weighing and transportation operations were moving at a sluggish pace, according to reports.

Demanding immediate procurement of their produce and justice for the farming community, the farmers intensified their protest. Officials later reached the spot, held discussions with the farmers and assured them that steps would be taken to resolve the issue.

In a similar protest at Singaram village in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, farmers locked a warehouse alleging inordinate delays in procurement. They complained that paddy stocks had been lying unattended at procurement centres for several days.

The farmers appealed to officials and rice mill managements to immediately procure the stocks, citing adverse weather conditions. However, they alleged that both officials and millers remained indifferent to their plight. After officials intervened and assured immediate action, the farmers withdrew their protest, reports said.

Stocks soaked in rains

Meanwhile, farmers in Yadagirigutta, Bhongir, Turkapalli and Bommalaramaram mandals suffered losses after rains lashed several areas on Monday evening.

Paddy stocks lying on drying platforms were soaked and damaged. Farmers lamented that despite nearly two months having passed since the harvest, their produce was yet to be procured.

They also pointed out that at several procurement centres, even after stocks were purchased and bagged, they continued to remain at the centres due to a shortage of trucks for transportation.