Uttam says paddy procurement a huge success but Centre not cooperating

Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy criticised the Centre’s procurement policy stating that Telangana was ready to procure up to 75 LMT of paddy but the Union Government was agreeing to purchase only about 51 LMT, forcing the State to bear a heavy financial burden.

Mr. Reddy, who visited procurement centres at Thirumalagiri and Phanigiri in Suryapet district on Monday reviewed the pace of purchases, lifting of stocks, transport arrangements and payments to farmers.

He said Telangana had so far procured nearly 64 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy through 8,575 procurement centres, the highest ever network created for paddy purchases in the State. “The massive procurement exercise is paying off. Large quantities of paddy have already been moved to mills, reducing pressure on procurement centres. We are determined to purchase every grain produced by the farmers,” he said.

The Minister said the government was committed to ensure a fair deal to farmers. “Even rain-soaked paddy is being purchased at Minimum Support Price. Farmers need not worry. The government will stand by them till the last grain is bought,” he said.

He said the government had already transferred ₹11,500 crore directly into the accounts of 9.31 lakh farmers. Unlike the past, when payments took weeks or months, farmers were now receiving money within 48 to 72 hours, he said while praising the Collectors, MLAs and civil supplies teams for the smooth procurement operations.

To overcome transport shortages, the Minister said the government had directed officials to deploy all available lorries and heavy vehicles for paddy movement until procurement was completed.