Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao alleged a urea sales ban in Telangana and criticised the state government for restricting fertiliser supply.
In a statement on Tuesday, he termed the alleged move anti-farmer. He said such a restriction had not occurred earlier in the state.
Urea sales ban allegation raised
Harish Rao said the urea sales ban began after the Congress government took office. He claimed officials issued oral instructions to halt sales.
He said imposing restrictions without a formal order showed an anti-farmer approach. Therefore, he demanded an explanation from the government.
Further, he questioned why farmers could not access urea despite available stocks. He said supplies existed at dealer points, agri-centres, and cooperative societies.
He said farmers were moving from place to place in search of urea. Meanwhile, he asked what steps the government had taken to address the issue.
He added that farmers growing sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables faced severe difficulties. He said the halt in supply had worsened their situation.
Moreover, he criticised the fertiliser distribution app. He said it had become a burden instead of helping farmers.
Harish Rao also opposed campaigns promoting reduced urea usage. He said the government should focus on ensuring supply.
He demanded immediate withdrawal of the urea sales ban. He also asked the government to restore continuous supply as before.