BJP legislative party leader Eleti Maheshwar Reddy on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Telangana government, accusing it of failing farmers and misleading them with claims of “record-breaking procurement.”
Addressing a massive protest in Nirmal, he said farmers across the State, from Adilabad to Gadwal, and Nizamabad to Mahabubabad, are in distress as harvested crops are being damaged due to delays and inadequate procurement systems.
“Farmers are watching their produce get soaked while the government continues to make hollow announcements,” he said.
Mr. Reddy alleged that the Civil Supplies Department has fallen significantly short of its targets. Against an estimated yield of 141 lakh metric tonnes, the government had promised to procure 90 lakh tonnes but has so far managed only 17.28 lakh tonnes. With over 80% of procurement still pending midway through May, he termed the situation “serious administrative negligence.”
Highlighting pricing concerns, he said the promised ₹500 per quintal bonus for fine-grade paddy is not reaching farmers due to arbitrary deductions citing moisture content. Maize farmers, he added, are suffering losses of nearly ₹800 per quintal, as middlemen are purchasing produce well below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,400.
