KTR demands immediate procurement of crops, warns of protests over Congress govt’s inaction

BRS working president KT Rama Rao accused the Congress government of failing farmers due to delayed crop procurement in Telangana. After visiting Warangal centres, he alleged administrative paralysis, lack of MSP support, and warned of intensified protests if issues persist

Warangal: BRS working president KT Rama Rao demanded that the Congress government wake up from its deep slumber and take immediate steps to expedite crop procurement across Telangana. He criticised the State government for its complete inaction, despite large quantities of paddy, maize, groundnut, and other crops already arriving at market yards.

Rama Rao visited multiple procurement centres in erstwhile Warangal district on Tuesday to assess the ground situation. He inspected centres at Yashwanthapur in Jangaon constituency, Ukal Society in Geesukonda mandal of Parakal constituency, and Narsampet market yard.

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During his visit, he interacted with farmers and listened to their grievances in detail. Farmers complained of uncertainty and delays in the procurement of their crops, with procurement stalled for over 15 days, leading to mounting losses and hardships. They informed him that appeals to MARKFED officials and district authorities yielded no response.

Responding immediately, the BRS working president spoke to MARKFED Managing Director Srinivas Reddy and sought clarity on the government’s procurement plan. He demanded that the government clarify whether it intends to procure the crops or abandon farmers to their fate.

He alleged that maize procurement did not even meet minimum procurement targets, claiming that even minimal quantities were not being purchased despite official claims of procurement. While the government claimed to have procured 6 lakh metric tonnes, he said the ground reality told a different story, with farmers struggling to sell their produce.

Rama Rao charged that the government was deliberately avoiding procurement to escape payment of the Minimum Support Price and the promised bonus to farmers. He accused the government of diverting nearly Rs 23,000 crore raised in the name of MARKFED for other purposes, leaving the agency without working capital to procure crops. He termed it a financial scandal that had paralysed procurement operations.

“The Congress government has completely failed the farmers. If it has any sense of responsibility, it must immediately release Rythu Bharosa funds and ensure procurement of all crops without any conditions,” he demanded. He warned that if the government continues to neglect farmers, the BRS will intensify its agitation and lay siege to the government across the State.

At the Ukal centre, women farmers narrated hardships, stating that they were left helpless despite securing good yields. Many farmers explained that they had struggled to obtain fertilisers until recently and were now facing uncertainty about selling their produce.

Rama Rao said basic arrangements such as gunny bags, weighing facilities and staff were missing at the procurement centres. He alleged that trucks carrying crops were being turned away due to lack of manpower and infrastructure.

Pointing to Congress’ Warangal Farmers’ Declaration announced by Rahul Gandhi, he said there was no visible progress in its implementation. He assured that the BRS will continue to pressure the government until every grain brought by farmers is procured.