Telangana government to buy 40 lakh metric tonnes rain-hit paddy

HYDERABAD: In what could be seen as applying balm to angry farmers, the state government said every seed of paddy, including stocks that got soaked in the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm, will be purchased from affected farmers. Senior officials said the government has set a target of purchasing 40 lakh metric tonnes (MTs) of paddy from farmers.
The civil supplies department has already procured 2.97 lakh MTs of paddy from 27,591 farmers and shifted 2.58 lakh MTs to rice mills. Civil supplies commissioner Akun Sabharwal, who held a teleconference with officials here on Monday, said every step is being taken as per the instruction of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to ensure that farmers do not suffer.

The government is offering an MSP of Rs 1,770 per quintal to grade A paddy and Rs 1,750 per quintal to normal category of paddy. “Gunny bags and money to purchase and store paddy are in place,” Sabharwal said. A control room has also been set up at the civil supplies commissioner’s office to monitor the situation on a daily basis. Farmers can register complaints and suggestions on toll-free number 1800-425-00333 or WhatsApp number 7330774444.

Sabharwal, who also visited paddy procurement centres (PPCs) in Nalgonda and Suryapet districts, promised that wet paddy would be bought from farmers. He also interacted with farmers and reviewed paddy procurement, transportation and condition of PPCs. Lorries would be available to transport paddy from paddy procurement centres to rice mills.

The government said over 3,600 PPCs have been set up. “In case of emergency, officials will inform district joint collectors and head office immediately,” he said.

The civil supplies department has also started taking measures and directed officials to keep tarpaulin sheets in sufficient quantity and numbers at PPCs and shift paddy to rice mills immediately after purchase.

Meanwhile, the extent of damage to crops in the unseasonal rains swelled to 65,000 acres on Monday from 55,000 acres on Sunday with rains lashing several parts of the state.