Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday directed officials to invoke the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma) against rice millers and traders, guilty of exploiting farmers in the ongoing kharif paddy procurement season. Responding to large-scale complaints that rice millers and traders were creating obstacles for farmers across the state, Reddy directed officials to curb illegal practices that hinder procurement efforts and jeopardise livelihoods of farmers. Invoking Esma against the culprits would signal the Congress government's intent to use stringent legal means to protect essential agricultural activities and prevent trader-led disruptions.
Reddy held discussions with top officials immediately after being alerted about widespread complaints, including incidents of rice millers and traders misleading, cheating, and harassing farmers at various procurement centres. He said that authorities should enforce stringent measures to prevent any form of exploitation, and should the situation warrant, take action under the Esma Act against unscrupulous traders undermining fair paddy procurement.
In his directive, the Chief Minister urged district collectors to implement effective procedures to ensure a seamless procurement process across Telangana, including a mandate for swift coordination with higher officials should any local issues arise.
The move comes amid escalating protests by farmers, who have alleged that traders, after forming an unfair syndicate, are pressuring them to sell their produce at below-MSP.
On Sunday, several farmers had protested by parking paddy-laden tractors on the Narketpally-Addanki state highway at Vemulapalli in Nalgonda district, demanding purchase of paddy at the MSP of Rs 2,320 per quintal.
Farmers complained that traders were offering between Rs 2,100 and Rs 2,200 per quintal for fine rice varieties, which was way below the MSP of `2,320 per quintal. Many also reported that rice millers were persistently rejecting their paddy under the pretext of high moisture content, delay or altogether refusing procurement, which has led to dissatisfaction and protests.
Meanwhile, the BRS and BJP state leaderships have voiced strong criticism, attributing the delays and inadequate procurement to the Congress government's lack of responsiveness. They noted that paddy procurement, which officially began on October 25 with the establishment of 7,171 procurement centres, has been slow.
While minister for civil supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy conducted several meetings urging speedy and effective paddy procurement, the opposition leaders alleged that no tangible steps were taken, especially after untimely rains complicated conditions for farmers due to damaged caused to harvested crops.
The opposition leaders claimed that rice millers and traders have already purchased approximately 30 per cent of the paddy at below-MSP rates, sometimes as low as Rs 1,700 per quintal, against the MSP of Rs 2,800 per quintal, which includes a bonus of `500 for fine varieties. They demanded the government to step up its support for farmers, ensuring rice millers adhere to MSP standards and preventing exploitation by the trader syndicate.
In light of these developments, Revanth Reddy's directive is seen as an effort to stabilise the procurement process and address the challenges faced by the agricultural community. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding farmers and assured immediate intervention to prevent any unethical practices that threaten the livelihoods of those relying on the MSP framework.
