Officials came in for flak from Deputy Speaker M. Padma Devender Reddy for the inefficiencies in paddy procurement across the State especially after a record yield in the current season.
Participating in a review meeting on paddy procurement in Medak on Wednesday, the Deputy Speaker put some pointed questions to the officials. “How can you delay sending lorries to the procurement centres? What will be the fate of farmers who brought their produce and are waiting for it to be weighed,” she asked. She also wanted to know who was responsible for the situation.
Gunny bag shortage
This situation is prevailing across the State and not confined to Medak district, she added. The farmers also faced a shortage of gunny bags due to record yield, but the problem was addressed successfully as the demand was met over a period of time.
A farmer V. Nagesh had arrived at the procurement centre in Bachepally from Masanpally in Kalher mandal on May 11. He was waiting for the past eight days for his 80 quintals of paddy to be lifted. Someone from home brings him food and he spends the night guarding his produce from animals and thieves.
Anji Reddy, another farmer from the same village, is waiting at the procurement centre with Nagesh and 10 other farmers.
Transportation issue
“Lorries come once in three or four days to lift the load. Due to lack of proper space and protection for the produce, farmers stopped bringing their crop to the centre. There are not enough tarpaulin covers available to protect our produce in case it rains,” said Anji Reddy.
“There are enough number of of hamalis available at the procurement centre but transportation is the problem. Further, we are worried that early rains may damage our entire produce. We do not know whom to approach to get our problems solved,” said M. Bhumaiah, another farmer.
