Harish Rao calls Congress’s Farmers’ Declaration sham

BRS leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing farmers and delaying procurement. He demanded immediate release of the paddy bonus and warned of intensified protests if crops are not procured at MSP without further delay.

Hyderabad: BRS Legislative Party deputy leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing to honour its electoral promises to farmers and reducing its much-touted Farmers’ Declaration to a complete sham. He demanded immediate release of the promised Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine paddy, along with timely payments.

In an open letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday, Harish Rao said the Congress made tall promises during elections but failed to deliver after assuming power. He questioned the delay in paddy procurement despite large quantities reaching procurement centres. He demanded that the Chief Minister to personally inspect the ground situation.

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The BRS leader alleged that farmers were being exploited even at rice mills, with deductions of one to two kg per bag towards wastage. Pointing to distress sales across the State, he said sunflower farmers have been waiting for nearly 20 days at procurement centres, while only a fraction of the produce has been procured. He urged the State government to purchase the remaining stock without conditions.

Harish Rao cited severe losses faced by Bengal gram farmers, stating that despite a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,875, they were being forced to sell at Rs 3,000-Rs 4,000 due to lack of procurement. Similar concerns were raised over maize, where restrictions and delays have pushed farmers into distress sales. Farmers were selling maize at Rs 2,500 per quintal to traders against MSP of Rs 3,371.

If the Congress government failed to ensure immediate procurement of all crops at MSP, he warned that the BRS will intensify its protest in support of farmers.