Stating that Telangana's contribution to the national agricultural output was about 50%, Agriculture Minister, S Niranjan Reddy today said that the government would procure paddy and grains from the state's farmers.
"There is no need for the farmers to panic about the sale of their produce. Our government will buy the crops at the relevant MSP from the various purchase centres that have been set up across Telangana. Officials have been told to take steps that will prevent any delays in the procurement and transportation of paddy," he said.
The minister also warned that serious action would be taken against any millers found to be "looting" the farmers.
"It has been brought to my attention that some millers are not weighing produce properly, and are recording the weight of the same as lower than the actual weight. I would like to tell them that they must follow the instructions of the agricultural officials during the procurement process. The farmers should not be inconvenienced in any way. Any miller found to be cheating the farmers will be severely punished," he added.
Reddy then instructed the concerned officials to monitor both the procurement process and the payment of money to the farmers, and to
supply fertiliser stocks to all the districts in the state.
He also gushed that despite the pandemic, the paddy procurement process was coming along smoothly.
Last Sunday, the Civil Supplies Corporation reportedly procured over 26 lakh tonnes of paddy, worth Rs 4,906.96 crore, and paid Rs 1,635 crore out of the total to the farmers. The remaining amount will be paid off soon.
Procurement is currently being done at about 6,366 centres.