Sun Nov 03 18:10:56 UTC 2024: ## BRS Leaders Criticize Telangana Government’s Slow Paddy Procurement
**Hyderabad, November 3, 2024:** Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders have slammed the Telangana government for its slow pace of paddy procurement, accusing them of failing to meet their promises despite claims of opening sufficient procurement centers.
Speaking at a paddy procurement center in Siddipet district, senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao pointed to the slow progress of procurement, highlighting the losses farmers are facing due to damaged produce caused by untimely rains. He also expressed concern about farmers having to guard their harvests from animals and questioned the government’s support for farmers after their election promises.
Further, Rao stated that farmers are being forced to sell their paddy at distress prices as low as ₹1,800 a quintal due to the slow procurement, while cotton and maize farmers are also facing similar issues with getting the support price.
At a separate press conference in Hyderabad, BRS leader A. Rakesh Reddy revealed that only 4,598 out of the planned 7,521 procurement centers have been opened, with nominal procurement taking place even after a month of the exercise starting. He also highlighted the struggles faced by cotton farmers, who are unable to even get ₹5,000 a quintal due to the Cotton Corporation of India’s failure to open procurement centers.
Adding to the criticism, former Minister and Suryapet MLA G. Jagadish Reddy highlighted the disparity in support prices for cotton farmers in Telangana and Gujarat, with Telangana farmers receiving significantly less than their counterparts. He further criticized the Chief Minister for not even holding a single review meeting on the procurement of cotton and paddy, two major kharif season crops.
BRS leaders have demanded immediate intervention by the government to address the issues faced by farmers and ensure timely procurement of their produce at the promised support prices.
First Piper 