T set to create new record in paddy procurement, says Uttam

Hyderabad: Telangana govt has proccured 70 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy as on Wednesday and is all set to surpass last year’s Rabi procurement record of 74 LMT.“Telangana is on course to surpass last year’s record Rabi paddy procurement and cross the 75 LMT mark, with procurement already touching 70.06 LMT. Another 4.95 LMT remains to be procured at purchase centres, while additional arrivals from the fields over the next week are expected to push the total procurement beyond last year’s record of 74.2 LMT, setting a new benchmark for the state,” Civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said.Reviewing procurement operations across the state at a meeting with officials, Uttam instructed district collectors and civil supplies officials to resolve bottlenecks on a war footing, particularly in districts where procurement was still in progress.Telangana is likely to close the season with procurement levels higher than those achieved last year despite challenges posed by weather conditions and shortage of hamalis. “Special attention should be given to Nizamabad, Nirmal, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy and Vikarabad districts, where paddy arrivals are expected to continue for the next 10 days,” he said.“Push the districts to finish procurement before the monsoon gains momentum. Farmers should not suffer because of weather-related disruptions. The procurement operations in several districts are nearing completion. Suryapet and Nalgonda districts are going to complete the operations in a day or two,” the minister said.He also reviewed storage arrangements and directed officials to immediately address space constraints wherever they existed. Officials told him that additional storage facilities had been identified in districts facing shortages. The minister also reviewed the movement of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) and directed officials to expedite transportation and storage operations to ensure smooth procurement of fresh arrivals.“Extend better welfare measures for hamalis and improve their working conditions. The state currently has 170 supply control points. Approximately 3,000 to 3,120 hamalis and sweepers work across these centres, ensuring timely and efficient movement of essential commodities. Increase their existing rates,” the minister told district collectors and civil supplies officials on the welfare of workers.The minister further directed that a special drive be taken up to identify hamalis and sweepers who are eligible for Indiramma houses. He also wanted officials to arrange insurance coverage for these workers, particularly to cover accidents and unforeseen incidents during work. It was noted that workers holding ration cards are already covered under the Indiramma Kutumba Jeevitha Bhima scheme.