Hyderabad: Civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has stated that the government will procure soaked paddy by paying the minimum support price (MSP). He asserted that the state is executing one of the largest paddy procurement operations in the country, with nearly 58 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy already purchased. An additional 17-18 LMT is expected to add up to the final procurement figures.
Accompanied by ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and D Sridhar Babu, Uttam Kumar Reddy inspected the ongoing procurement process in Peddapalli, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, and Warangal districts. He also inspected godowns at different market yards.
Government's Commitment to Farmers
“Farmers will not be let down under any circumstances. The Congress government is a farmer-friendly one, stands firmly with the farming community, and is committed to procuring every grain reaching the procurement centres,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said while reviewing procurement operations with district collectors and senior officials at Peddapalli, Hanumakonda, and Bhongir.
Timely Payments and Record Arrivals
The minister stated that the state has already disbursed nearly Rs 11,000 crore directly into farmers’ bank accounts, with payments being processed within 48 hours of procurement in most cases. Telangana is witnessing massive arrivals due to record paddy production coupled with weather-related urgency among farmers to move stocks quickly.
He said the government has paid Rs 16,479 crore since December 2023 to paddy farmers over and above MSP-related remittances, reflecting what he described as the administration’s unwavering commitment to agriculture and rural incomes. The minister said the present government’s procurement and payment operations are “manifold higher” than previous exercises and have fundamentally strengthened farmer confidence across Telangana.
Measures to Protect Paddy from Rain
In view of unseasonal rains, Uttam Kumar Reddy ordered officials to intensify lifting operations and ensure uninterrupted transportation of procured paddy from centres to rice mills. The operations must be completed ahead of the onset of monsoon. He directed that every available transport vehicle, including lorries, DCMs, trucks, and tractors, be deployed for the movement of farmer produce, mainly paddy, over the next four to five days to prevent accumulation and exposure to rain.
