Karimnagar: Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday took aim at the opposition for peddling “false alarms” of drought, pointing instead to what he called an unprecedented achievement in Telangana’s agricultural history – its biggest-ever paddy haul.
Speaking after a high-level review meeting at the Karimnagar Collectorate, flanked by ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and D Sridhar Babu, Uttam cited Union Government data to assert Telangana’s place at the top of India’s paddy-producing states this year.
As of May 28, he said, the Congress government had released ₹12,922 crore to farmers for Yasangi season paddy – nearly four times the ₹3,509 crore paid by the BRS administration during the same period in 2023. “This isn’t just a jump—it’s a statement,” he said. “We’ve supported farmers like never before.”
The minister underscored that the current outlay for Yasangi procurement stood at ₹15,475 crore, sharply higher than the ₹9,400 crore allocated under the previous government. “These aren’t party claims – they’re official numbers. Civil Supplies Commissioner can back every one of them,” he said, urging lawmakers to study the data before levelling criticism.
Dismissing opposition leaders who forecast drought and crop failure earlier this year, Uttam said, “They predicted dry fields and disaster. What we delivered was 130 lakh metric tonnes of Yasangi paddy from 60 lakh acres, a record unmatched even in undivided Andhra Pradesh.”
He added that Telangana’s total paddy output this agricultural year touched 285 lakh metric tonnes, the highest ever logged by any Indian state in a single year. “Even the remotest grain will be procured – cost is not the concern, commitment is,” he said.
In Karimnagar district alone, payments to farmers surged from ₹538 crore last year to ₹2,782 crore this season. Paddy procurement in the district rose from 9.3 lakh metric tonnes to 13.55 lakh.
Uttam also pointed out the irony that this record-breaking yield came despite the failure of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages to hold or release water. “These ₹1 lakh crore barrages under Kaleshwaram didn’t contribute a drop. Our success came from tight water management,” he said.
The coordination between irrigation and agriculture departments, supported by district machinery, had helped stave off early-season water shortages, he added.
Responding to local MLAs, the minister promised swift action on land issues related to Singareni and said the Bandalavagu Lift Scheme would be inaugurated within a week. He also assured movement on the Palakurthi and Pattipaka irrigation projects.
Announcing a restoration push for legacy reservoirs such as SRSP, Nagarjuna Sagar, Jurala, and Nizam Sagar, Uttam said desilting would restore 25–40% of lost storage capacity under a new national framework.
On ration distribution, he called for the rationalisation of fair price shops based on public needs. “Where there’s a need, we’ll act. No household should face trouble,” he said.
He also responded to concerns about storage, confirming that most godowns now fall under the Warehousing Corporation, and any critical shortages would be addressed on priority.
In a nod to paddy millers, he approved the conversion of slender varieties into boiled rice due to poor Out Turn Ratios. “Your concern is valid. The government stands with you,” he said.
Wrapping up, he directed officials to list urgent repair needs in irrigation systems, promising immediate sanction for certified issues. He concluded by thanking Karimnagar’s citizens and media for not falling for “political misinformation.”
“The farmers of Telangana can read between the lines. They know who truly stood by them,” he said.
Chaired by Minister @UttamINC garu, today’s #Karimnagar district Review Meet was a chance to reaffirm our commitment to farmers, be it irrigation, procurement or support after unseasonal rains. Through Dharani & Indiramma, justice and dignity will reach every rightful home. #DSB pic.twitter.com/26nZx4IVrG
— Sridhar Babu Duddilla (@OffDSB) May 29, 2025
