Amid the uncertainty and hue and cry by farmers due to sudden rains, the state government so far procured 62 lakh tonnes of paddy this summer season. By the end of the season, another six to seven lakh tonnes of paddy would be procured thus taking the total to 67 to 70 lakh tonnes.
The state government has procured paddy from 10 lakh farmers worth Rs. 12,450 crore in 4,500 procurement centres across the state. About 6,000 crores were already paid to the farmers and the rest would be paid before the 15th of this month, civil supplies minister Gangula Kamalakar said.
According to the minister, in 2020-21, the state government procured a record 92 lakh tonnes, in 2019-20, procured 64 lakh tonnes of paddy, and this season it is estimated to be around 70 lakh tonnes. Mr Kamalakar said the government set a record by procuring paddy within a short time.
On criticism by the opposition on Dharani, the minister said it was introduced with the noble aim of reducing land litigation by the chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. The results are there to see. The opposition is putting up unreasonable arguments and people will decide who is correct at an appropriate time, he added.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao