Centre Only Announces MSP, State Buying Every Grain: Telangana CM
Hyderabad, May 25 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday criticised the Union Government, alleging that it was only announcing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops without actively procuring the harvested produce from farmers.
During a meeting with a CPM delegation in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister discussed issues related to foodgrain procurement, the Musi Rejuvenation Project and reforms in the education sector.
Revanth Reddy alleged that the Centre was not procuring even 30 per cent of the harvested crops and claimed that the State Government was purchasing every grain cultivated by farmers in Telangana.
Appealing to Left parties to intensify their fight against the Centre on procurement issues, he said the State Government was extending support to farmers by providing a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine variety paddy in addition to MSP for maize.
The Chief Minister said procurement operations were being affected due to a shortage of hamalis (loaders) following elections in West Bengal and prevailing heatwave conditions, which had halted procurement activities during afternoon hours at several centres.
He said the State Government was continuously monitoring procurement operations to ensure relief to farmers.
Discussing the Musi Rejuvenation Project, Revanth Reddy said the initiative would transform the Musi riverfront into a world-class tourist destination while generating large-scale employment opportunities for local youth.
He said the government was providing rehabilitation and housing assistance to displaced families living along the Musi river.
The Chief Minister accused the opposition BRS and BJP of creating hurdles and politicising the Musi project. He also highlighted increasing pollution in the Musi river and its impact on people in Nalgonda district.
“My objective is to provide a quality life to the citizens of the city,” he said.
The Chief Minister also briefed CPM leaders about the State Government’s initiatives to revamp the education sector with a focus on delivering quality education to poor students.
He said measures such as providing nutritious breakfast and midday meals to school and junior college students and establishing Telangana Public Schools were part of the reform agenda.
Revanth Reddy suggested CPM leaders visit the Arutla Public School to observe the changes being implemented.
The CPM delegation, led by State Secretary John Wesley, thanked the Chief Minister for introducing the Minimum Wages Amendment Act.
Former MLA Julakanti Rangareddy, P. Sudarshan, Jyothi, Nunna Nageswara Rao, Mallu Lakshmi, Samineni Swarajyam, M. Gopala Rao and Rajya Sabha member Vem Narender Reddy were also present.
TNT TS
