Harish Rao visits maize procurement centre in Siddipet, raises concern over delayed payments

Former Telangana Minister and MLA Harish Rao on Sunday visited the maize procurement centre at Chinnakodur mandal headquarters in Siddipet district. During the visit, he expressed serious concern over the hardships faced by local farmers.

Harish Rao revealed that nearly 450 farmers in the Chinnakodur region have been waiting for 59 days to receive ₹45 crore in dues related to loan waivers and pending procurement payments. He criticised the government for failing to clear these long-pending amounts.

Speaking to the media, Harish Rao stated that farmers, due to financial distress, are being forced to sell their maize below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He demanded that the State government immediately release ₹450 crore owed to maize farmers across Telangana.

Recalling past welfare initiatives under the KCR-led BRS government, he alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is boasting about offering assistance only once, while ignoring ongoing farmer issues. Harish Rao urged voters to defeat Congress-backed candidates, stating that only then farmers could expect fair bonuses and timely support.

Referring to Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao’s recent remarks that Rythu Bandhu assistance would be given only if farmers cultivate a crop next year, Harish Rao said the policy is impractical and has created further difficulties for farmers.

He also criticised CM Revanth Reddy for allegedly misleading farmers over the maize procurement crisis by repeatedly claiming that “Kaleshwaram has collapsed.” Harish Rao accused the Chief Minister of creating fear among farmers and misleading the public with false narratives.

Demanding immediate action, Harish Rao called on the State government to release all pending dues without delay and ensure the protection of farmers’ rights.