Revanth slams Centre over crop procurement

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday criticised the Union Government for failing to procure harvested crops despite announcing Minimum Support Prices (MSP), and urged Left parties to intensify pressure on the Centre over the issue.

During a meeting held with a delegation of Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders led by State Secretary John Wesley at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister discussed foodgrain procurement, the Musi Rejuvenation Project and reforms in the education sector.

Revanth Reddy alleged that the Centre was not procuring even 30 percent of the harvested produce and said the Telangana Government was purchasing every grain cultivated by farmers. He pointed out that the State Government was extending a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine variety paddy and ensuring procurement of maize at MSP to support farmers.

The Chief Minister informed the CPM leaders that procurement operations were facing difficulties due to a shortage of hamalis following elections in West Bengal. He also noted that severe heatwave conditions were affecting procurement activity during afternoon hours at purchase centres. However, he said the government was continuously monitoring and reviewing procurement operations across the state.

On the Musi Rejuvenation Project, Revanth Reddy said the initiative would transform the riverfront into a world class tourist destination while creating employment opportunities for local youth. He accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Bharatiya Janata Party of politicising the project and creating obstacles. He also highlighted the growing health concerns in Nalgonda district due to pollution in the Musi river and said the government’s objective was to improve the quality of life for Hyderabad residents. The Chief Minister assured that displaced families under the Musi project would be provided housing in the same locality.

The meeting also focused on reforms in the education sector. Revanth Reddy said the government was overhauling public education to provide quality learning for poor students through nutritious breakfast and mid day meal schemes and the establishment of Telangana Public Schools. He also suggested CPM leaders visit the Arutla Public School to observe the reforms.

The CPM delegation 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 attended the meeting.