Hyderabad: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy rejected allegations that the Centre was not cooperating in paddy procurement. He said the responsibility for procurement rests entirely with the state government.
Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday, he said the Centre never directly procures paddy. He also questioned the state government’s criticism of the Union government.
Kishan Reddy alleged that farmers were facing difficulties because the government had failed to plan procurement operations properly. He accused the administration of focusing more on commissions, contracts and real estate than on farmers’ welfare.
He claimed the government did not respond adequately to procurement concerns until the BJP launched its campaign on the issue.
Paddy procurement issue sparks fresh war of words
The Union Minister questioned why procurement-related problems were arising only in Telangana. He said neighbouring states were managing the process more effectively.
He cited Andhra Pradesh as an example. According to him, the government and officials there are coordinating efforts to ensure smooth procurement operations.
Kishan Reddy also criticised the state government over the supply of gunny bags. He questioned why officials had failed to arrange them several months in advance.
Furthermore, he said Telangana had not yet utilised the procurement quota allocated by the Centre. Therefore, he argued that the Congress government had no moral right to blame the Union government.
The BJP leader also alleged irregularities in ration rice distribution. He claimed that high-quality fine rice produced in Telangana was being sent to other states.
At the same time, inferior-quality rice was allegedly being brought into Telangana. He alleged that authorities were distributing that rice to ration card beneficiaries.
Kishan Reddy demanded an inquiry into the matter. He said the public deserved to know who was responsible for the alleged irregularities.
He further accused the state government of routinely blaming the Centre for every issue. According to him, the government was trying to portray itself as the only responsible stakeholder.
The Union Minister said the issue relating to farmer discoms had not come to his notice. However, he questioned why the state government had not provided subsidies for the current rabi season.