BJP alleges crop procurement failures in Telangana; calls for urgent farmer relief

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.

He also flagged issues such as illegal deductions, shortage of gunny bags, and delays in transportation. Alleging collusion between officials and middlemen, he said farmers are being denied fair prices while intermediaries profit.

Demanding immediate action, Mr. Reddy called for waiving moisture norms, ensuring full procurement of maize and sunflower crops, clearing pending payments within 48 hours, and introducing a transparent GPS-based transport system. He also sought free distribution of gunny bags and expansion of storage facilities.

Meanwhile, the Telangana BJP released a pamphlet outlining seven austerity measures proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging citizens to conserve resources amid global uncertainties. These include reducing fuel consumption, using public transport, cutting cooking oil use, adopting natural farming, promoting swadeshi products, and limiting foreign travel. Party president N. Ramchander Rao encouraged Hyderabad residents to use metro rail and public transport, and called for carpooling and adoption of electric vehicles to conserve fuel.