Farmers stage rasta-roko demanding paddy procurement in Mancherial

Farmers from several villages in Mancherial district staged a rasta roko on the Nizamabad-Jagdalpur highway, demanding faster paddy procurement. Protesters alleged delays, grain damage due to rains, and deductions over moisture content before withdrawing the agitation after officials assured action

Mancherial: Farmers staged a rasta roko demanding that the government procure paddy produce at Indaram village in Jaipur mandal on Saturday.

Farmers from Indaram, Ramaraopet and Tekumatla villages gathered on the Nizamabad-Jagdalpur national highway and blocked traffic as part of the protest. They regretted that they were forced to stock the grain at their houses following a delay in the procurement process at centres. They said paddy produce shifted to centres was damaged due to unseasonal rains.

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The protesting farmers further said operators of procurement centres were deducting 2 kilograms of grain per quintal citing moisture content. They added that they were facing inconvenience due to the sluggish procurement process. They urged the government to expedite the process and help them sell the grain at the earliest to avoid inconvenience.

Following the protest, traffic on the busy route came to a grinding halt. The farmers cleared the traffic for a while for a car in which a patient was being shifted to a hospital. They withdrew the protest after officials assured them that the issue would be resolved. Officials said steps were being taken to speed up the process by ensuring required facilities such as gunny bags and vehicles for transportation.

Meanwhile, the farmers alleged that they were abused by Indaram Sarpanch Fayaz for staging the protest. They expressed anger against Fayaz for scolding them. They said Fayaz was unable to understand the problems faced by farmers. They requested him to extend cooperation to them. They declared that they would continue to stage protests till the government addresses the issue.