Telangana government moves to secure rain‑soaked paddy procurement

State Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Telangana government has activated an emergency response to procure rain‑drenched paddy, shifting about 95% of soaked grain to rice mills and directing lorries previously used for sand or cement to transport the crop. By late May the state had purchased roughly 58‑66 lakh tonnes of paddy and aimed to complete procurement before the monsoon, with an additional 17‑18 lakh tonnes expected. The administration has credited over ₹10,000 crore into farmers’ accounts and assured that even rain‑soaked grain will be bought at the minimum support price.

Opposition BJP leaders, including Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy and Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao, accused the Congress‑led state government of forcing farmers to sell at low prices, colluding with rice millers, and blaming the centre for procurement shortfalls. They claimed large quantities of paddy and maize remain unsold in market yards and called for an assessment of crop damage.

The government maintains that it is on target with procurement, has set district‑wise targets, and is working to prevent crop losses while addressing political criticism.