Telangana CM Revanth Reddy says Centre procuring less than 30% of food grains

Hyderabad: A. Revanth Reddy on Monday alleged that the Central government is procuring less than 30 per cent of the food grains produced by farmers, despite announcing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops.

Speaking separately with delegations from the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Hyderabad, the Telangana Chief Minister said serious questions must be raised over the Centre’s crop procurement policies.

He claimed that the Telangana government was purchasing “every grain” produced by farmers in the state, even as procurement operations faced logistical challenges due to a shortage of hamalis (porters), partly linked to election-related labour movement in West Bengal and extreme summer heat disrupting afternoon work.

Despite these issues, Revanth Reddy said the state government was closely monitoring procurement operations to ensure farmers were protected.

The Chief Minister further stated that Telangana was offering a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal for fine variety paddy and was also procuring maize at the MSP to support growers.

He alleged that the Centre was not procuring maize despite a strong yield this season and said the state government had stepped in to prevent farmers from suffering losses.

“Even if it results in losses to the government, we are procuring maize so that farmers do not face difficulties,” he reportedly told the delegations.

A delegation of CPI leaders led by MLA Kunamaneni Sambashiva Rao met the Chief Minister and thanked him for increasing minimum wages for workers.

Meanwhile, a CPI(M) delegation led by state secretary John Wesley also met Revanth Reddy and praised the government’s decision to introduce legislation revising minimum wages, saying it would benefit workers and employees across Telangana.

During the discussions, the Chief Minister also spoke about the proposed Musi River redevelopment project, assuring that families displaced by the initiative would be rehabilitated within nearby localities.

He accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Bharatiya Janata Party of politicising the issue and reiterated the government’s intention to transform the riverfront into a world-class tourist destination.

According to Revanth Reddy, the Musi redevelopment project would create employment opportunities for young people and help tackle severe pollution affecting residents in the Nalgonda district.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the state government’s ongoing reforms in public education, including the provision of nutritious breakfasts and meals to students and the establishment of Telangana Public Schools aimed at improving educational standards across the state.

(IANS)