Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Friday urged the Congress government to immediately purchase sprouted paddy from farmers affected by Cyclone Montha.
Rao toured flood-hit areas in Nalgonda and Suryapet districts and inspected procurement centers at Nakrekal, Chityala, and Chivemla. He said paddy crops had begun to sprout after heavy rains drenched the harvested produce. Farmers, he added, suffered losses as the government failed to open procurement centers on time.
Accusing the state of deliberate delay, Rao claimed Congress leaders were working with rice millers to block procurement. He also pointed out that many centers lacked essential tools like tarpaulins, drying machines, and proper storage.
“The Centre is already paying for transport, bags, wages, and commissions,” he said. “It also covers loan interest taken by the state for procurement. So why the delay?”
He added that the BJP had formed three teams to visit various districts and report on crop damage and procurement issues. He demanded that the government purchase sprouted paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the Centre.
Rao also urged the state to dismantle the alleged broker–miller nexus and equip all procurement centers without delay. Continued neglect, he warned, would further harm struggling farmers.