Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to recover the full value of paddy covered by outstanding dues from rice millers.
He said the government would adopt a positive approach towards millers who operated their businesses responsibly. However, he warned of strict action against those who deliberately tried to avoid payments.
Revanth Reddy reviewed the Civil Supplies Department with Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy at MCR HRD. During the meeting, he criticised the previous government for allowing thousands of crores of rupees in dues to accumulate.
He alleged that the previous government had created the outstanding liabilities and was now trying to blame the present administration. Although officials had made some progress in recovery, the Chief Minister insisted that they collect the entire amount due for every grain of paddy.
The Chief Minister directed officials to frame clear procedures for recovering the pending amounts. Once officials complete the framework, they must submit the report to the Cabinet sub-committee.
The Cabinet sub-committee will examine the report before the government takes a final decision. Meanwhile, Revanth Reddy proposed giving paddy allocations meant for persistent defaulters to women’s self-help groups and assigning them milling responsibilities.
He also asked officials to prepare measures well in advance to tackle the recurring shortage of paddy storage capacity during procurement seasons.
Paddy dues recovery to accompany new storage measures
The Chief Minister ordered a pilot project for silo bags in Nalgonda, Suryapet, Nizamabad, Peddapalli and Kamareddy. These districts receive large quantities of paddy during procurement.
He said the government would allocate 50 to 100 acres in each Assembly constituency for silo bag facilities under self-help groups.
Revanth Reddy also proposed a meeting with the Ministers for Revenue, Civil Supplies and Women and Child Welfare to discuss the construction of the facilities.
He asked officials to examine the possibility of building large platforms at VBG Ramji locations. They should also study the use of German tents for paddy storage.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister directed officials to identify private warehouses at mandal and village levels before the procurement season begins.
Officials should also identify function halls, old theatres and other sheds suitable for paddy storage. Where necessary, the government should lease these facilities in advance.
The measures aim to improve storage preparedness while officials pursue recovery of paddy dues from rice millers.
The review was attended by Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary V. Seshadri, Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra, South India Rice Millers Association president Thoodi Devender Reddy and other officials.