Niranjan Reddy condemns Cabinet decision on crop procurement
Former Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy has sharply criticised the Congress government for restricting crop procurement to limits set by the Centre. He accused the ruling party of betraying farmers, failing to honour promises such as Rythu Bharosa and loan waivers.
Hyderabad: Former Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy on Thursday strongly condemned the State Cabinet’s reported decision to procure crops only within limits prescribed by the Centre.
He criticised the Congress government for abdicating its responsibility towards farmers and demanded immediate revocation of the decision as well as ensuring cent per cent procurement of paddy produced in the State during this monsoon.
In a statement, Niranjan Reddy accused the Congress of betraying the farming community and questioned Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for citing Central restrictions despite previously criticising governments over procurement issues while the Congress was in the opposition.
He said the ruling Congress was encouraging the cultivation of select fine-grain varieties while avoiding a commitment to procure all produce.
“Farmers would suffer yield losses if they shifted to the recommended seven varieties. By restricting the Rs 500 bonus per quintal scheme to these varieties, the government is trying to evade payment of the promised bonus altogether,” he said.
Niranjan Reddy alleged that the Congress government failed to fulfil several promises made to farmers, including implementation of Rythu Bharosa, continuation of the Rythu Bima insurance scheme, and completion of farm loan waivers. Ridiculing the government for lacking planning and consistency in the agriculture sector, he criticised it for holding public meetings to release Rythu Bharosa financial assistance to farmers.
