Row over paddy procurement continues between Telangana and the center.
Telangana agriculture minister S Niranjan Reddy came down heavily on union minister Mr Piyush Goyal over his response on the paddy procurement issue.
Mr Niranjan Reddy accompanied by other MPs and Ministers met the union minister and demanded that the center procure paddy from Telangana farmers twice a year as is being done in Punjab state.
However, Mr Piyush Goyal responded impatiently and chided the ruling TRS government accusing it of misleading the farmers.
Mr Niranjan Reddy lashed out at the union minister for his uncharitable remarks. Mr Goyal also refused the TRS leaders stating that they can change rules when they come to power at centre.
Mr Niranjan Reddy said the attitude of centre is against the spirit of the constitution and it is the state BJP leaders who misled the fears of Telangana. The BJP leaders instigated the farmers and now paddy crop in 30 lakh acres stands for procurement.
Mr Niranjan Reddy termed the remarks of Mr Piyush Goyal as very arrogant and people would teach a lesson to the BJP very soon.
The ruling TRS leaders accused the BJP of discriminating against the Telangana government but eyeing for power without doing any justice to people.
It may be noted that the chief minister Mr KCR held a meeting with the party leaders the other day to discuss and direct them about the steps to be taken to demand for paddy procurement.
A delegation of ministers and MPs went to Delhi to meet the union minister Mr Piyush Goyal and other officials over the issue. But their response was disappointing to the TRS leaders as it was very lukewarm and discriminatory.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao