Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has issued stern warnings against those engaging in unfair practices in the paddy procurement process, directing officials to take decisive action. In a recent review meeting, the Chief Minister expressed concern over instances of farmers being exploited by buyers offering lower prices for their paddy. To address this issue, he instructed officials to cancel the trade licenses of millers and traders involved in purchasing paddy at below-market rates, subsequently blacklisting them.
During the review, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for farmers to dry their paddy adequately before bringing it to agricultural market yards, as high moisture content can lead to price depreciation. Officials were tasked with facilitating suitable arrangements for paddy drying and installing CCTVs in market yards to deter theft.
District officials were directed to conduct thorough inspections of markets and paddy purchase centers to ensure seamless procurement processes for farmers. Prompt resolution of farmer complaints and adherence to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) guidelines were emphasized.
Additionally, the Chief Minister mandated daily monitoring of paddy procurement activities and instructed officials to conduct field visits across various districts to assess procurement efforts firsthand. Precautionary measures such as positioning tarpaulins in market yards to protect food grains in case of rain were also highlighted.
Recognizing the looming challenge of water scarcity during the impending summer months, Revanth Reddy urged officials to take proactive steps to address potential drinking water shortages in all towns and villages. He specifically emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Karnataka government to secure water releases from the Narayanpur reservoir to meet drinking water needs.
