Hyderabad: Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar accused the BJP-led Central government of burdening farmers and common people through repeated fuel price hikes.
The minister criticised the BJP’s “Rythu Gosa – BJP Bharosa” bus yatra. He described it as a political exercise aimed at diverting attention from public issues.
Ponnam Prabhakar said the Centre should first reduce petrol and diesel prices if it was genuinely concerned about farmers.
According to the minister, rising fuel prices sharply increased cultivation expenses. Higher diesel prices raised tractor, irrigation and transportation costs for farmers across Telangana.
He alleged that BJP leaders avoided discussing fuel prices despite claiming to support farmers.
The minister also accused the Centre of failing to fully procure paddy grown by Telangana farmers. According to him, the Union government did not cooperate in sanctioning boiled rice procurement and levy rice approvals.
Fuel price hikes increase burden on Telangana farmers
Ponnam Prabhakar said the Centre approved procurement of only 53.73 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. However, the Telangana government fixed a target of 75 lakh metric tonnes to protect farmers from losses.
He stated that the state government established 8,575 paddy procurement centres across Telangana. Officials also accelerated procurement on a war footing.
Authorities supplied 21 crore gunny bags at the field level to avoid inconvenience to farmers.
Ponnam Prabhakar said the Telangana government procured 51 lakh metric tonnes of paddy so far. He added that the state paid Rs 8,749 crore as minimum support price directly into farmers’ bank accounts.
The minister further alleged that the BJP failed to fulfil promises made to farmers during elections. He referred to assurances on doubling farmers’ income and pensions for elderly farmers.
Ponnam Prabhakar also criticised the Centre for increasing MSP for maize farmers by only Rs 10 per quintal. He demanded an apology from the Union government.
The minister accused the BJP of adopting anti-farmer policies. He asked farmers to question BJP leaders on procurement and fuel prices.
Ponnam Prabhakar asserted that the Telangana government would continue supporting farmers. He also demanded that the Centre reduce petrol and diesel prices immediately and procure every grain produced in Telangana.