BRS Intensifies Attack on Congress Over Telangana Paddy Procurement Chaos

The paddy procurement issue in Telangana has intensified into a major political confrontation, with senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao accusing the Congress government of pushing farmers into distress through delayed procurement, poor planning, and administrative negligence.

Harish Rao on Monday visited the paddy procurement centre at Ensanpally village in Siddipet Urban mandal, where he interacted with farmers waiting for days to sell their produce. Addressing the media later, he alleged that the state government had failed to effectively manage the ongoing Yasangi procurement season despite record paddy production across Telangana.

According to Harish Rao, Telangana is expected to produce nearly 1.4 crore metric tonnes of paddy , but the government, which initially promised to procure 90 lakh metric tonnes , has now reportedly reduced the target to 70 lakh metric tonnes . He claimed the move was forcing farmers to depend on private traders and middlemen, often selling produce below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) .

The former minister alleged that procurement centres across the state were facing shortages of lorries, gunny bags, labour, and storage facilities , resulting in massive delays. Farmers from villages including Nangunur, Khanapur, Mittapally, Raghavapur, Venkatapur, and Narmeta have reportedly staged protests as harvested paddy remained stranded in procurement yards for weeks.

Harish Rao further alleged that millers were forcing farmers to load only 43 kilograms per bag , causing losses of nearly 150 kilograms per acre . He accused officials of ignoring repeated complaints regarding deductions and procurement irregularities.

Expressing concern over unseasonal rains during the Rohini Karthe period, the BRS leader said large quantities of paddy were getting damaged in open yards. He also alleged that several farmers had died near procurement centres while waiting for their produce to be lifted.

Escalating his criticism, Harish Rao mocked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s claims that the government was functioning in “mission mode.” “This is not mission mode, this is commission mode ,” he said, accusing the administration of neglecting farmers’ welfare. He also criticised the government for delays in implementing Rythu Bandhu , loan waivers, and payments to farmers who sold maize, sunflower, and jowar crops.

Warning of intensified agitation, Harish Rao said the BRS would organise large-scale protests and lay siege to collectorates if procurement was not accelerated within the next few days.