BRS Leader Harish Rao Flags Unofficial Curbs on Urea Sales in Telangana

Hyderabad: T. Harish Rao, Deputy Floor Leader of the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former minister, has levelled accusations that the state government is enforcing an undeclared ban on urea sales across Telangana, characterising the move as detrimental to farming interests.

In remarks made on Tuesday, Rao contended that such restrictions on fertiliser availability have no precedent in the state's recent history. He pointed to the Congress government's assumption of power as the trigger for the alleged curbs, noting that officials have communicated directives verbally rather than through formal written orders.

Rao expressed concern about the lack of transparency in implementing restrictions without official documentation, framing it as evidence of anti-farmer sentiment. He called on the state administration to justify its position on the matter.

The BRS leader highlighted a contradiction in the government's stance, questioning why farmers face shortages when urea stocks are available at distribution networks including dealer outlets, agricultural centres, and cooperative societies. He described the situation as forcing cultivators to travel extensively in pursuit of the essential input.

Rao underscored the particular hardship faced by farmers cultivating sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables, stating that the supply disruption has exacerbated their operational challenges. He also criticised the fertiliser distribution application system, describing it as counterproductive rather than beneficial to the farming community.

The former minister objected to government initiatives aimed at promoting reduced urea consumption, arguing that priority should instead be placed on guaranteeing adequate supply. He demanded the immediate lifting of what he termed the urea sales ban and a return to the consistent supply arrangements that existed previously.