BJP Accuses Telangana Government of Crop Procurement Failures and Urges Immediate Relief for Farmers

BJP legislative party leader Eleti Maheshwar Reddy criticized the Telangana government for failing farmers during a protest in Nirmal, claiming that farmers are suffering from mismanagement and inadequate procurement systems. He emphasized that harvested crops are deteriorating due to delays in procurement, asserting that the government’s claims of “record-breaking procurement” are misleading. Reddy pointed out the stark contrast between government promises and actual procurement figures, highlighting that only 17.28 lakh tonnes have been procured against a target of 90 lakh tonnes, with the season approaching its midpoint.

Concerns over pricing were also raised, with Reddy alleging that farmers are not receiving the promised ₹500 per quintal bonus for fine-grade paddy, affected by arbitrary deductions related to moisture content. He noted considerable financial losses for maize farmers, who are selling their produce well below the Minimum Support Price of ₹2,400 due to exploitation by middlemen. Alongside these pricing issues, Reddy highlighted administrative failures, such as shortages of gunny bags and transportation delays, attributing these setbacks to alleged collusion between officials and intermediaries that deprives farmers of fair compensation.

Demanding urgent interventions, Reddy called for the waiver of moisture content norms, full procurement of maize and sunflower crops, and expedited payment clearances within 48 hours. He also proposed the implementation of a GPS-based transport system for transparency, as well as the free distribution of gunny bags and expanded storage facilities. In a related event, the Telangana BJP announced seven austerity measures proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, advising citizens to conserve resources amid global uncertainties while promoting sustainable practices such as using public transport and adopting local products.