Siddipet Collector clears air about his statement on paddy cultivation

Siddipet: The district collector P Venkatrami Reddy has asserted that he had never intended to show disrespect to the court nor did he make controversial comments about paddy cultivation. In a statement here on Wednesday, the collector maintained that his statement about paddy was misrepresented and twisted by some vested interests. He maintained that he […]

Siddipet: The district collector P Venkatrami Reddy has asserted that he had never intended to show disrespect to the court nor did he make controversial comments about paddy cultivation. In a statement here on Wednesday, the collector maintained that his statement about paddy was misrepresented and twisted by some vested interests. He maintained that he had highest regard for the judiciary.

In a detailed press statement, Venkatrami Reddy explained that during his meeting with seed sellers on October 25, he had only seriously warned certain seed dealers who were supplying spurious seeds. He said he wanted to educate the farmers on the perils of spurious seeds. The meeting was convened to sensitise farmers about the FCI instructions and to educate the farmers about alternative crop farming.

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He pointed out that spurious seeds sale was a serious problem in the district. Certain shops were sealed after registration of cases. “It was noticed that those dealers who shops were closed were moving the court by suppressing facts”, Reddy recalled. The farming community was being subjected to irreparable losses because of the spurious seeds and stringent action is warranted against the such sellers. In that context the seed sellers were told sternly that action would be initiated.

During this meeting, the sale of paddy seed also came up for discussion. Paddy grown in high temperatures during summer season will have high broken percentage on milling and is not suitable for delivery of raw rice.

Telangana region falls in high temperature region and particularly in some parts of Siddipet district, the issue of broken rice and FCI instructions on stoppage of paraboiled rice from Telangana needed to be addressed.

Since the paddy dealers were in constant interaction with farmers, the feasibility and advantages of alternative crops and to advice on crop diversification was discussed. The production of paddy in the next season was also discussed. The pros and cons were deliberated. However, some dealers of spurious seeds also attended the meeting. ” After noticing their presence, I have said that even if such dealers suppress facts and obtain orders, I will apprise the courts about the correct position. Even if any orders were granted, we would move the court to get such orders vacated”, he recalled as saying. While this was his sole intention, his statements were misquoted and some vested interests were trying to take advantage of the videos and news clippings, he said.

He explained that the sequence of the words spoken by me were projected as if he was demeaning the judiciary.

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