Govt. delaying paddy purchase to avoid bonus payment: Bandi

WARANGAL: Union minister of state for home and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar alleged that the state government is intentionally delaying the purchase of paddy from farmers to avoid paying the Rs 500 bonus promised by the Congress party. He made these comments after inspecting a procurement centre at Kothagattu in Shankarapatnam mandal, Karimnagar district, on Sunday.

"The government is using farmers as scapegoats to secure commissions from middlemen and brokers. When the Central government is covering the full cost of paddy, including interest, why isn’t the Congress-led state government purchasing grain from farmers?" he questioned.

Addressing the Congress’ plans to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Praja Palana, the minister asked if it had implemented its six guarantees. "Has it created 2 lakh jobs? What happened to the promise of one tola gold for women under the Kalyana Lakshmi scheme? What about scooters for girl students, Rs 2,500 monthly allowances for women, and the distribution of Indiramma houses to the poor?" he added.

He also highlighted that the government had promised to waive crop loans, yet around 20 lakh farmers are still waiting for loan waivers and struggling to obtain new loans from banks. Additionally, although it pledged to provide Rs 15,000 under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, the government has not implemented this support, even after the completion of the kharif season.

He demanded that, as per its promises, the government should purchase all food grains from farmers and pay the Rs 500 bonus without restrictions. He also insisted on compensation for farmers who sold their produce to middlemen at a loss due to the government’s failure to procure grains over the past 40 days.