Telangana Congress MP raises alarm over delayed paddy procurement

Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna criticised the Telangana government over delays in paddy procurement in Mancherial. He alleged discrimination against Dalit farmers, questioned procurement practices, and demanded a special review into the functioning of procurement operations.

Hyderabad: Congress MP from Peddapally, Gaddam Vamsi Krishna, criticised the State government over delays in paddy procurement in Mancherial district and alleged discrimination against Dalit farmers.

The MP accused officials of subjecting farmers in Mancherial to severe hardships through delays in procurement. He said the issue has persisted despite several representations being made to Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao regarding the procurement practices.

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Addressing media persons at Peddapally, Vamsi Krishna questioned whether authorities had issued instructions to procure paddy only from farmers in Peddapally while leaving farmers in Mancherial in distress.

He alleged that the issue disproportionately affected Dalit farmers, pointing out that Mancherial district contains several SC-reserved constituencies where paddy cultivation is extensive among Dalit communities.

“You do not want crops cultivated by Dalits. Why show arrogance?” the Congress MP questioned.

Vamsi Krishna also raised concerns over the limited procurement capacity being utilised. He said the milling capacity was around six tonnes, but procurement was being restricted to only one or two tonnes.

The MP said he would once again bring the issue to the notice of the Chief Secretary through a formal letter. He demanded a special review of procurement operations in Peddapally district to identify the reasons behind the alleged negligence.

Incidentally, Congress MLA from Choppadandi, Medipally Satyam, had submitted a representation to District Collector Chitra Mishra during the Prajavani programme on Monday, urging officials to speed up the procurement process.