Suryapet, June 1 (RAHNUMA): Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the State government’s massive paddy procurement drive was paying off, with a major portion of the stocks already lifted from purchase centres and moved to rice mills.
Continuing his field inspection drive, Uttam Kumar Reddy visited procurement centres at Thirumalagiri and Phanigiri in Suryapet district on Monday. He reviewed the pace of purchases, lifting of stocks, transport arrangements and payments to farmers.
Accompanied by Tungaturthi MLA Mandula Samuel, district officials and civil supplies staff, the Minister interacted with farmers and officials overseeing the ongoing Yasangi procurement operations.
“The massive procurement exercise is paying off. Large quantities of paddy have already been moved to mills, reducing pressure on procurement centres. We are determined to purchase every grain produced by the farmers,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
He said Telangana had so far procured nearly 64 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy through 8,575 procurement centres, the highest ever network created for paddy purchases in the Telangana State.
The Minister said the government was committed to ensure a fair deal to farmers. Hence even the paddy affected by untimely rains was being purchased giving the Minimum Support Price.
“Even rain-soaked paddy is being purchased at Minimum Support Price. Farmers need not worry. The government will stand by them till the last grain is bought,” he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy praised the district collectors, MLAs and civil supplies teams for the smooth procurement operations in different districts including Suryapet district. He directed officials to complete procurement in Suryapet by the end of June first week and said similar instructions had been issued to Nalgonda district.
The Minister said the government had already transferred Rs.11,500 crore directly into the accounts of 9.31 lakh farmers. Unlike the past, when payments took weeks or months, farmers are now receiving money within 48 to 72 hours, he added.
