Telangana will safeguard farmers’ interest: KCR
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao directed Agriculture department to strive for the development of crop rotation system, encourage farm mechanisation and adopt modern farming practices in the State
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday said that notwithstanding the impact of the Centre’s new farm laws on other States, the Telangana government will take all precautionary measures to safeguard the agricultural marketing system and strengthen it further. Emphasising on the revolutionary changes in the agriculture sector, he asserted that it was the responsibility of the Marketing Department to adopt necessary methods to enable farmers sell their crops in the market.
Chandrashekhar Rao asserted that the State government will continue to operate agriculture market yards as they were the only platforms for farmers to sell their produce. He suggested that a policy be evolved to issue tokens to farmers belonging to each village specifying the date and time on which they should bring their produce to the markets in a systematic manner and sell their produce. “Timely information should be provided to farmers on which crop is getting a better price in a particular market. A research and analysis wing should be created in the Marketing Department in this regard,” he advised.
As the new Central farm laws prohibit collection of cess in market yards, the Chief Minister said the State government will provide necessary funds to strengthen the Marketing Department. He also wanted the officials to collect data on how much quantity of paddy was coming to the markets and also the purchasing capacity of traders. He advised them to bring in simplified policies to issue trading licences in the markets.
He also directed the Agriculture Department to strive for the development of crop rotation system, encourage farm mechanisation and adopt modern farming practices in the State. He asked the officials concerned to compile and furnish complete information pertaining to each crop being cultivated in all agricultural lands across the State. He directed them to bring the Rythu Vedikas into use immediately and convene farmers’ meetings.
In a marathon meeting that lasted eight hours at Pragathi Bhavan, the Chief Minister reviewed the activities of the Agriculture and Marketing departments. He said the importance and responsibility of both the departments had increased in the wake of increase in the area under cultivation in the State. He wanted a qualitative and significant change in the functioning of the two departments, shed documentation and become more field-oriented.
“Both the offices of Agriculture Extension Officers (AEOs) and Rythu Bandhu Samithis should function from Rythu Vedikas. Necessary arrangements, including furniture and other facilities, should be provided,” Rao said, explaining the roles of the two departments in terms of agricultural development and farmers’ welfare. He wanted the officials to supply drinking water under Mission Bhagiratha programme and also arrange for a public address system to the Rythu Vedikas. He asked them to fill vacant posts of AEOs on a temporary basis in case of any AEO post remaining vacant or the AEO is on a long leave.
Hold talks with employee unions, panel told
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday directed a three-member committee headed by Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to immediately hold discussions with the employees’ unions on pending issues, including the Pay Revision Commission and promotions. The committee comprising the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary for Finance K Ramakrishna Rao and Principal Secretary for Irrigation Rajat Kumar was instructed to complete the process within a week or 10 days and submit the recommendations to the State government for necessary decision.
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