Telangana procuring paddy on time, says Centre

Hyderabad: In what could be termed as a tight slap for the BJP State leaders, the Central government on Saturday made it clear that paddy procurement in Telangana was continuing as per schedule. It has also asserted that the paddy was being procured at the existing minimum support price (MSP) as per the memorandum of […]

Hyderabad: In what could be termed as a tight slap for the BJP State leaders, the Central government on Saturday made it clear that paddy procurement in Telangana was continuing as per schedule. It has also asserted that the paddy was being procured at the existing minimum support price (MSP) as per the memorandum of understanding between the State government and the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The BJP State leaders have been alleging that the paddy procurement was being delayed in the State and blaming the State government for the same. The Telangana Congress leaders too were spreading similar false propaganda to draw political mileage.

---

On Saturday, the Department of Food and Public Distribution clarified that all paddy procurement in Telangana was continuing as before at the existing MSP. The officials have rubbished the media reports that the paddy procurement was stopped in the State. They assured that the paddy procurement will continue as per agreement.

Meanwhile, the Union government failed to give clarity on the paddy to be procured from Telangana during Yasangi (Rabi) season. It is yet to respond on the enhancement of the rice purchases from 40 lakh tonnes to 80-85 lakh tonnes for the ongoing Vaanakalam (Kharif) season but had vehemently refused to purchase parboiled rice from the State.

However, the BJP State leaders, led by the party State president Bandi Sanjay, who have been vocal about paddy cultivation in the State and assured that they would make the government purchase paddy even during the upcoming Yasangi season, have remained tight-lipped over the Centre’s response to their tall claims.

After instigating farmers to take up paddy cultivation, the BJP leaders have refrained from making any further statements in this regard ever since Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal categorically stated that the Centre cannot assure on the quantity of rice to be purchased from the State. As promised to a delegation of Telangana Ministers, the Union Minister is said to have given stringent directions to the BJP State leaders not to speak or give any assurances over paddy purchases.

---

Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.

Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .