Expedite procurement of paddy and maize on mission mode: CM

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed District Collectors to expedite procurement of paddy and maize on a mission mode.

Warning that the government would not tolerate negligence of any kind, he instructed the Collectors to address the difficulties faced by farmers conducting field visits to inspect the arrangements regularly.

At a video conference with senior officials and Collectors on Tuesday, the Chief Minister reviewed the shortage of gunny bags and Hamalis (loaders) and directed the officials to supply bags adequately besides making arrangements to transport the procured foodgrains to warehouses without any delay.

Action would be initiated against contractors who failed to provide adequate vehicles, mainly lorries, for transportation of the produce according to the agreement. Authorities concerned were directed to initiate criminal proceedings, if necessary, against the contractors who failed to fulfil the agreements. Mr. Reddy enquired about the difficulties faced in the procurement process in the districts and instructed the Transport department to arrange adequate vehicles for transportation of paddy and maize.

The District Collectors should realise the gravity of the situation and take appropriate measures. Every official should discharge his or her duties with accountability and transparency. The government would not hesitate to take action against Collectors if they neglected their responsibility in the challenging times. Collectors were directed to make temporary arrangements for warehouses wherever necessary with immediate effect and utilise Rythui Bazaars and function halls to facilitate movement and storage of paddy.

Collectors in districts with high maize production were instructed to be vigilant and take necessary measures to see that farmers did not face difficulties during procurement. Police assistance could be sought if need be to ensure smooth and uninterrupted procurement. On the impact of unseasonal rains in some districts, the district collectors were ordered to prepare plans for permanent solution to rescue farmers from losses. Availability of tarpaulins should be ensured to protect the harvested crop from getting wet due to unseasonal rains and the collectors could appoint a designated officer at the mandal level to constantly alert farmers about weather.

At the same time, officials would be nominated to the IKP centres to solve hurdles if any occurring during the procurement operations while another officials would be entrusted with supervising operations at every rice mill. Steps should be taken to provide receipt to farmers immediately after loading the produce preventing scope for irregularities in the name of weight deductions and other reasons.

Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao directed the officials concerned to bring any difficulties they faced in procurement operations to the notice of the government so that necessary guidance and cooperation could be provided in time. The State was set to witness record breaking production during the current cycle. Officials should be cautious about farmers from neighbouring States transporting their produce to Telangana as it was causing problems in some areas.