Revanth Reddy’s latest U turn leaves farmers worried and Congress leaders perplexed

The Telangana government's decision to procure crops only within the limits prescribed by the Centre has drawn criticism from farmers and political circles. The move contrasts with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's earlier warning of a confrontation with the Central government over procurement.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s latest ‘U-turn’ has left farmers worried and Congress leaders puzzled.

After declaring that he would wage a war against the Central government for failing to procure farmers’ stocks, the State government has now announced that it would procure stocks as per the quota specified by the Centre.

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Addressing a public meeting in Kagaznagar on June 1, the Chief Minister had said it was the Central government’s responsibility to procure stocks. The State government was only a facilitator, he had said, and set June 15 as the deadline for the Centre to procure paddy, maize, jowar and other crops. “If there is no response, we will wage a war against the Central government. We will announce our action plan,” Revanth Reddy had declared.

His remarks had raised expectations among farmers and Congress workers that the government would take a strong stand against the Centre. Instead, the State government has accepted the procurement limits prescribed by the Union government, drawing criticism from several quarters.

Telangana Farmers Federation president Namireddy Yadagiri Reddy said the State government could not distance itself from the responsibility of procuring farmers’ produce. He pointed out that the Congress had made several commitments to farmers in its Rythu Declaration, including a promise of Rs 15,000 per acre annually under Rythu Bharosa for farmers and tenant farmers.

According to him, the government was failing to fulfil those assurances and was now disappointing farmers on procurement as well.

“If the Congress government is genuinely committed to farmers’ welfare, it should procure the stocks without conditions and then press the Central government for reimbursement or support,” he said.

The issue has also revived comparisons with Revanth Reddy’s stand when he was in the Opposition. At the time, he had criticised the BRS government for advising farmers against cultivating paddy and had maintained that the State government had a responsibility to procure farmers’ produce. The latest decision has, therefore, surprised many within the Congress as well.

A senior Congress leader at Gandhi Bhavan said the government’s announcement was unexpected, particularly after the Chief Minister’s strong remarks against the Centre. “The government is already facing criticism for delaying Rythu Bharosa payments. Limiting procurement to the Centre’s quota could further anger farmers,” the leader observed.