Hyderabad: BRS deputy floor leader Harish Rao criticised the state government over delays in paddy procurement across Telangana.
Harish Rao visited the municipal agricultural market in Choutuppal on Thursday and interacted with farmers about procurement delays.
During the visit, he said farmers did not face such difficulties during the previous BRS government led by K Chandrasekhar Rao.
He alleged that farmers were now struggling for urea, Rythu Bandhu assistance and irrigation water under the Congress government.
The BRS leader also said farmers were facing problems even while selling harvested crops.
Paddy procurement delays draw criticism from Harish Rao
Referring to remarks made by Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, Harish Rao said the minister had claimed procurement was progressing smoothly.
However, he alleged that local farmers were still waiting for officials to purchase paddy even after 24 days.
The BRS leader said farmers were collapsing in severe heat conditions with temperatures touching 43 degrees Celsius.
He questioned whether the minister was unable to manage paddy procurement operations effectively.
Harish Rao also asked Uttam Kumar Reddy to visit procurement centres and directly understand farmers’ problems.
The BRS leader referred to recent farmer deaths linked to procurement delays and rain-related incidents in different districts.
He said a wall collapse during heavy rain in Mancherial district killed farmers. He also alleged that another farmer died near a paddy heap in Nalgonda district.
Harish Rao criticised the government for organising farmer celebrations despite such incidents.
He urged ministers and officials to speed up paddy procurement on a war footing.
The BRS leader said the weather department had already warned about unseasonal rains and possible storms.