BRS Targets Congress Over Crop Procurement Policy, Warns of Statewide Agitation
Adilabad, June 20 (TNT): Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in Telangana, accusing it of betraying farmers by limiting crop procurement to quotas fixed by the Centre and abandoning its promise to purchase every grain produced in the state.
Addressing a BRS general body meeting in Boath constituency during his Adilabad tour, KTR alleged that the Revanth Reddy government had backtracked on its assurances to farmers and was forcing them into distress sales.
“Just days ago, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy promised to procure every grain produced by Telangana farmers. Today, the government says it will purchase only the quantity approved by the Centre. This is a complete betrayal of farmers,” he said.
The former minister claimed that the state Cabinet’s decision to procure paddy, sorghum, pulses and soybean within the framework of Central allocations would leave farmers vulnerable to exploitation by private traders.
Questioning the practicality of the policy, KTR said farmers would be left with unsold produce if procurement was restricted to quotas.
“If a farmer produces 40 quintals of paddy and only 10 quintals are procured, what happens to the remaining crop? Farmers cannot be abandoned after investing their labour, time and money,” he remarked.
Escalating the political attack, KTR urged farmers to question Congress leaders directly over what he described as unfulfilled promises on bonus payments, procurement centres and support prices.
“Farmers should not have to plead with officials. They should demand answers from Congress leaders about the promises made during elections,” he said.
The BRS leader warned that his party would intensify protests across Telangana until the government withdraws the decision and resumes procurement of every grain produced by farmers.
He further alleged that the Congress government had failed to implement its promise of a ₹500 bonus and had not established adequate procurement centres, while dismantling several farmer welfare measures introduced during the previous BRS regime.
Earlier in the day, KTR visited Ponn village in Sirikonda mandal and met the family of farmer Pandurang, who allegedly died by suicide after being unable to secure procurement for his sorghum crop.
Offering condolences, KTR handed over ₹3 lakh in financial assistance on behalf of the BRS and demanded that the state government provide ₹25 lakh as ex gratia to the bereaved family and extend government employment to the farmer’s children.
Appealing to farmers not to take extreme steps, he urged them to remain strong and assured them of continued support from the BRS.
“Do not lose hope or leave your families behind in despair. We will continue to stand by farmers and fight against anti-farmer policies until every grain produced in Telangana is procured,” KTR said.
TNT TS
