Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of North East G. Kishan Reddy has sought an explanation from the TRS Government about the pending 8.34 lakh metric tonnes (MTs) of paddy, including 1.34 lakh MTs of parboiled rice, contracted in 2020-21.
“Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his colleagues have been running a disinformation campaign against the Centre on paddy procurement, but we would like to know why the agreement of last year has not been honoured yet as on date,” he questioned.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, the Minister claimed that of the 62.53 lakh MTs, about 44.75 lakh MTs was procured last season. “I wish to ask the government why the remaining paddy has not been procured yet. Did the farmers not grow the same, was it sold in black or have the rice millers exported?” he asked.
‘KCR had egged farmers’
Mr. Kishan Reddy contested KCR’s claim of farmers growing paddy because of the BJP leaders’ support and stated that there is sufficient evidence to show that the CM himself had egged farmers on to grow more paddy in the Legislative Assembly and press meets at Pragathi Bhavan. Video clips of the speeches of the CM were shown to the media.
Since the Centre has been funding the entire procurement exercise, had paid administrative charge of ₹660 crore last year and is supplying subsidised rice at ₹3 a kilo after spending about ₹33 a kilo, the State Government too, can share the cost of parboiled rice procurement, he maintained.
“The Chief Minister should also explain why he gave an undertaking to the Centre not to provide parboiled rice to it. We are requesting the State Government to procure paddy and supply raw rice this season too. About 25% of broken rice is also accepted. It should think of finding out a solution to the problem rather than sacrificing farmers’ interests for political gains,” he added.
