Telangana Pushes To Complete Paddy Procurement By Month-End

The Telangana government has directed officials to speed up the ongoing paddy procurement process across the State and ensure that purchases are completed by the end of this month.

Reviewing the procurement operations through a video conference from Hyderabad on Sunday, Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy held discussions with district collectors, officials and public representatives on the progress being made at procurement centres.

The Minister said Telangana recorded an estimated 141 lakh metric tonnes of paddy production during the current season. Of this, the government aims to procure around 75 lakh metric tonnes at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to protect farmers’ interests.

To facilitate smooth procurement, the State has set up 8,575 procurement centres across Telangana. So far, officials have procured nearly 51 lakh metric tonnes of paddy and disbursed around Rs. 8,749 crore towards MSP payments to farmers, he said. The government has also made available nearly 21 crore gunny bags at the field level to avoid logistical shortages.

Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed officials to clear the remaining 8.5 lakh metric tonnes of paddy lying at procurement centres on a war footing and prevent delays in lifting stocks.

The Minister also directed authorities to establish strict check-post surveillance in border districts to stop the illegal inflow of paddy, jowar and maize from neighbouring States. Warning against exploitation of farmers, he said stringent action would be taken against rice millers and middlemen involved in unfair deductions in the name of quality cuts and wastage.

Officials were further instructed to upload procurement details immediately through digital tabs so that payments could be processed and credited to farmers without delay.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka stressed the need to increase the number of hamalis at procurement centres to accelerate operations. He said farmers had earlier faced long delays in receiving payments, whereas the present system was ensuring quicker financial settlements.

Bhatti Vikramarka also asked officials to create awareness among farmers against burning agricultural waste, noting that the practice was contributing to rising air pollution levels.