Niranjan Reddy alleges procurement irregularities, demands MSP for rain-damaged paddy

Former Minister S Niranjan Reddy alleged large-scale irregularities in paddy procurement and transport contracts in Wanaparthy. He demanded MSP procurement for damaged paddy, sought a Vigilance inquiry into tender allotments, and warned of BRS protests over delayed justice in Sridhar Reddy’s murder case

Wanaparthy: Former Minister S Niranjan Reddy alleged large-scale irregularities in paddy procurement and transportation contracts. He accused the Congress government of pushing farmers into distress through administrative lapses and political favouritism.

After inspecting rain-soaked paddy at the Wanaparthy market yard on Sunday, Niranjan Reddy demanded that the government procure damaged paddy at the Minimum Support Price and clear the stocks at procurement centres, where farmers had been waiting for nearly 50 days without their produce being lifted or weighed.

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The former Minister said the crisis worsened after transportation tenders were awarded to ineligible agencies lacking adequate vehicles. He urged Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra to order a Vigilance and Enforcement inquiry, alleging contracts worth Rs 120 crore covering three mandals were awarded to a person close to a ruling Congress leader. He also sought a probe into allegations that a Range Rover was gifted to a Minister’s son in connection with the contracts.

Niranjan Reddy alleged that while action was taken against 33 pending millers, 23 millers linked to the ruling party were left untouched, and that nearly 90 per cent of the procured grain was being routed to six major rice mills. He said 14 million metric tonnes of paddy and 4.5 million tonnes of maize had arrived at markets, but procurement remained slow.

He also raised concerns over the unresolved murder of Sridhar Reddy, warning that the BRS would protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence if justice was further delayed.