Protest by BRS over maize procurement turns tense at Assembly entrance

Tension erupted at Telangana Assembly as KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao led protests demanding MSP for maize and farmer relief. Legislators clashed with marshals, leaving Harish Rao slightly injured amid allegations of government negligence.

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at the Telangana Assembly on Wednesday after BRS MLAs and MLCs staged a protest, demanding immediate procurement of maize at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and payment of a Rs.500 bonus to farmers. They were prevented from entering the Assembly Hall with maize crop, during which BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao suffered minor injuries.

The BRS moved an adjournment motion accusing the government of negligence in maize procurement. The party legislators led by BRS working president KT Rama Rao and BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao organised a protest at Gun Park, holding maize cobs and wore green scarves in solidarity with farmers. The members later marched towards the Assembly raising slogans seeking opening of procurement centres and immediate relief to farmers affected by unseasonal rains.

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Trouble erupted at the Assembly entrance when the marshals stopped the legislators from carrying maize cobs inside the House, citing security. The BRS members protested, alleging rude behaviour by marshals. During the scuffle, Harish Rao sustained a minor injury to his hand, which he said occurred when a marshal snatched the maize cobs from him.

Maize crop from MLAs Padi Kaushik Reddy and K Sanjay also were snatched and thrown on the ground, leading to a heated argument. The members staged a brief sit-in at the entrance before commencement of the session.

Speaking to mediapersons earlier, Harish Rao said farmers were facing losses due to lack of MSP, delay in procurement and damage caused by recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms. He demanded crop loss assessment, input subsidy to affected farmers and immediate opening of maize procurement centres across the State.

“Over the past two days, hailstorms and unseasonal rains have caused extensive damage to maize, mango, and other crops. The Congress government, which made tall claims about crop insurance in the budget, has failed to implement it in practice. This government neither implemented crop insurance nor provided input subsidies for last two years,” he said.