Hold Congress leaders by their collars if crops are not procured, says KTR

BRS working president KT Rama Rao accused the Congress government of betraying Telangana farmers by limiting crop procurement to Central quotas. He warned of intensified protests, demanded support for affected farmers and sought compensation for a farmer’s bereaved family

Adilabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has accused the Congress government of betraying farmers with its decision to procure paddy, jowar and other crops only to the extent of the quota fixed by the Centre.

“Farmers should not plead with officials if their crops are not procured. They must hold Congress leaders accountable and question them about the promises on bonus payments, procurement centres and support prices. Hold them by the collar and ask them,” Rama Rao said at the BRS general body meeting here on Saturday. He cautioned that the BRS would intensify its agitation across Telangana until the government withdrew its decision and resumed procurement of every grain produced by farmers.

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The BRS working president charged that the Congress government had abandoned Telangana farmers by deciding to limit crop procurement to quotas fixed by the Central government and accused the Chief Minister of going back on his promise to procure every grain produced by farmers.

“Just a few days ago, Revanth Reddy assured farmers that his government will procure every grain. Today, he says the State will purchase only as much as the Centre permits. This is a complete betrayal of Telangana’s farmers,” Rama Rao charged.

The Congress government’s decision to procure paddy, sorghum, pulses and soybean only within the Central quota framework would leave farmers at the mercy of private traders and force them to sell their produce at distress prices, he stressed.

“If a farmer produces 40 quintals of paddy and the Centre approves procurement of only 10 quintals, what happens to the remaining produce? Farmers cannot be abandoned after investing their labour, time and money,” Rama Rao said.

He also stated that the Congress government had failed to fulfil its promises of providing a Rs 500 bonus and establishing adequate procurement centres, while accusing it of reversing key farmer welfare initiatives introduced during the BRS regime.

Earlier in the day, the BRS working president visited Ponn village in Sirikonda mandal of Adilabad district and consoled the family of farmer Pandurang, who allegedly died by suicide after failing to secure procurement for his sorghum crop.

KTR handed over Rs 3 lakh in financial assistance on behalf of the BRS. He demanded that the State government immediately provide Rs 25 lakh as ex gratia to the bereaved family and offer government jobs to Pandurang’s children. He also appealed to farmers not to lose hope or resort to any extreme steps.

“Do not lose courage or leave your families behind in despair. We will continue to stand by farmers and fight against anti-farmer policies until every grain produced in Telangana is procured,” Rama Rao assured.