Hyderabad: Former minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy criticised the Congress government over paddy procurement delays. He visited procurement centres in several villages of Peddamandadi mandal in Wanaparthy district.
Niranjan Reddy alleged that the government failed in paddy procurement operations. Consequently, farmers faced severe hardship across the district.
He said rainwater damaged harvested crops stored at procurement centres. Moreover, he accused the government of intentionally delaying procurement.
Paddy procurement delays spark farmer distress
During his visit to villages including Manigilla, Niranjan Reddy blamed government negligence for the crop losses. He also held transport agencies responsible for the situation.
According to the former minister, farmers spent months cultivating crops. However, rains damaged the produce because officials did not complete procurement on time.
Niranjan Reddy further accused the government of troubling farmers through delayed urea supply and power cuts. As a result, many farmers allegedly sold grain to middlemen at lower prices.
He claimed the government wanted to reduce its procurement burden. Therefore, private traders purchased grain at cheaper rates.
Recalling the previous BRS government, Niranjan Reddy said the KCR administration procured paddy immediately after harvest. In addition, officials credited payments directly into farmers’ accounts within a week.
However, he alleged that farmers were now waiting for months at procurement centres to sell their produce.
Niranjan Reddy warned that growing anger among farmers could politically damage the Congress government in the state.