The Central government has banned the export of rice contending that there is a shortage of food grains in the country. However, it is refusing to buy the same from Telangana which recorded the highest production in the season. It says there was no room in the FCI godowns. Its unsound policies and decisions are endangering the food security needs of 145 crore people in the country.
The price of rice is increasing in the country as some parts of the country are facing severe shortages. The Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states have been asking the Centre to sell them the rice but in vain. The Karnataka government had to change its Anna Bhagya scheme of providing rice by direct transfer of cash due to a shortage of rice. In contrast, Telangana state which registered a record production of three crore tonnes of paddy is ready to sell the same. However, the central government which is hostile to the state is refusing to buy the same.
It was the responsibility of the Central government to procure paddy and supply the same to the parts where there is a shortage of the same. It will stabilise the market price providing relief to the people from spiralling prices. The Telangana government ensure increased irrigation and area of cultivation coupled with pro-farmer friendly policies. The steps resulted in the production of three crore tonnes of paddy which is expected to reach four crore tonnes in the next two years. The state is producing half of the country’s paddy requirement.
The BJP-led government at the Centre is vengeful of the Telangana government. At a time when the people are looking up for succour, the BJP is trying to gain political mileage from every issue with its cheap tricks and narrow-mindedness.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao