BJP & BRS threaten stir over procurement delay

Hyderabad: BRS and BJP leaders have alleged that delays in paddy procurement are pushing farmers into severe financial and mental distress, even as the govt claims that 6,500 procurement centres are already operational.They urged the govt to act immediately to safeguard farmers' interests and commence procurement without further delay."Farmers are crying at the paddy procurement centres. I have seen their plight firsthand. The Congress govt's incompetence and negligence have led to the collapse of the paddy procurement system," said N Ramchander Rao, Telangana BJP chief, who visited Hanmapur village in Bhuvanagiri constituency and met farmers on Thursday.He questioned why the state govt is not procuring paddy despite central funds. "Along with support prices, the Centre is also providing funds for transport, gunny bags, tarpaulins, hamali charges and even IKP (Indira Kranthi Patham) centre commissions. What is stopping the govt from procuring paddy?" he asked, and accused rice millers, middlemen and some officials of colluding and deceiving farmers, demanding action against them.Rao urged farmers not to lose hope or resort to suicide, assuring them of support from the Modi govt and the BJP. He said the BJP Kisan Morcha would launch a statewide agitation if the state govt failed to respond immediately. He also criticised the Congress for failing to fulfil promises made under the Warangal Farmers' Declaration.Similarly, several BRS leaders, including KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao, have questioned the delay in paddy procurement despite large quantities reaching procurement centres."If the Congress govt fails to ensure immediate procurement of all crops at MSP, the BRS will intensify its protest in support of farmers," Harish Rao warned the state govt in an open letter to the chief minister on Wednesday.They said the Congress made tall promises during polls but failed to deliver after assuming power, and urged that the CM personally inspect the situation at procurement centres.