KTR demands Cabinet discussion on crop procurement

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of mishandling crop procurement operations in Telangana and demanded that the issue be taken up at the State Cabinet meeting scheduled for May 23.

In an open letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Rama Rao alleged that the government had failed to effectively manage investment support, fertilizer supply and procurement operations after coming to power. He claimed that welfare and support mechanisms introduced during the previous BRS regime had been dismantled by the Congress government.

The BRS leader said farmers in several districts had been waiting at procurement centres for nearly two months as procurement remained slow and inadequate. He alleged that protests and dharnas were being held across the State by farmers seeking immediate intervention by the government.

Mr. Rama Rao also claimed that several farmers had collapsed or died near procurement centres due to heatstroke, stress and prolonged waiting. He criticised the Chief Minister for allegedly not visiting any procurement centre despite the prevailing situation.

Demanding immediate corrective measures, he urged the government to discuss the procurement issue in the Cabinet meeting and ensure speedy procurement of pending grain stocks. He also sought an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh each for the families of farmers who allegedly died near procurement centres due to delays and mismanagement.

Warning the government of growing resentment among the farming community, Mr. Rama Rao said failure to address the issue promptly could intensify public anger against the Congress government.