Revanth Reddy warns millers against buying paddy from farmers at low prices

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy warned of strict action against those buying paddy from the farmers at lower prices and also issued orders to the officials to crack down on the millers who cheated the farmers.

The Chief Minister ordered to cancel the trade licences of the millers and traders who buy paddy at low prices in the agricultural market yards, and put them on the blacklist.

The Chief Minister reviewed the paddy procurement and drinking water supply with top officials on Friday.

The Chief Minister said that it had come to the notice of the government that millers/traders were lowering prices due to high moisture content in paddy. He appealed to the farmers to dry paddy, to ensure a good price for produce, before bringing it to the agricultural market yards rather than moving the commodity directly from the farmyards.

Officials have been asked to make suitable arrangements for drying the paddy and also install CCTVs in the market yards to prevent paddy theft.

The Chief Minister directed district officials to inspect the markets and paddy purchase centres under their jurisdiction and ensure that purchases are made smoothly without any inconvenience to the farmers. The officials were instructed to provide a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the paddy and resolve the complaints, if any, from the farmers instantly.

He also ordered state officials to monitor paddy procurement on a daily basis, conduct field visits in as many districts and examine the paddy procurement at the ground level.

Arrangements should be made to position tarpaulins in all market yards as a precautionary measure to protect food grains in the event of rain, the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, Revanth Reddy also directed officials to take precautionary measures to prevent drinking water problems in all the towns and villages of the state. He warned that the next two months will be more crucial in view of the scorching heat.

The Chief Minister also asked the officials to consult the Karnataka government for the release of water from Narayanpur reservoir for drinking water needs.