Revanth Reddy blames Centre over crop procurement delays

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy blamed the Centre for inadequate procurement of harvested crops and urged Left parties to support the State's stand. He also discussed the Musi project, education reforms and challenges affecting procurement operations.

Hyderabad: Amid criticism from different sections over farmers’ hardships during this procurement season, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy blamed the Union government for not purchasing harvested crops. “Apart from announcing the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the Central government is doing nothing for the procurement of paddy, maize and other crops,” he charged.

The Chief Minister held a meeting with a State CPM delegation here on Monday. He discussed food grain procurement, the progress of the Musi Rejuvenation project and reforms in the education system. He also said there was a shortage of hamalis (labourers) due to the elections in West Bengal. Besides this, the prevailing heatwave conditions had halted the procurement process during the afternoon at procurement centres, he said.

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Revanth Reddy appealed to Left party leaders to fight against the Central government on the issue of procurement. “The Union government is not procuring even 30 per cent of the harvested crops. It is the State government that is purchasing stocks from farmers,” he said.

Stating that he was continuously reviewing the procurement operations, the Chief Minister said the State government was already providing a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine variety paddy and also extending MSP for maize to provide relief to farmers.

Briefing the delegation about the relief being provided to displaced people under the Musi Rejuvenation Project, he said the government was sanctioning houses for them. The Chief Minister strongly objected to the opposition parties politicising the Musi project. The CPM delegation, led by State Secretary John Wesley, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for introducing the Minimum Wages Amendment Act.