Paddy Procurement Must Be Accelerated, Minister Warns Officials

Hyderabad: Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has issued a stern warning to officials overseeing paddy procurement operations, urging them to eliminate delays and ensure smooth processing at collection centres.

During an inspection of an IKP procurement facility at Nawabpet village in Chigurumamidi mandal within Husnabad constituency in Karimnagar district, the minister outlined several critical directives aimed at streamlining operations and protecting farmer interests.

Prabhakar instructed officials to prioritize speed in procurement activities while maintaining adequate convenience for farming communities visiting the centres. He emphasized that gunny bags must be stocked sufficiently at all IKP facilities to prevent bottlenecks.

The minister also stressed the importance of prompt logistics, ordering that filled paddy bags be transported to rice mills without delay following the weighing process. To safeguard stocks from weather-related damage, he directed officials to maintain ready supplies of tarpaulin sheets for protection during unexpected rainfall.

Recognizing transportation challenges, Prabhakar noted that the government has deployed a dedicated Motor Vehicle Inspector to mitigate issues that may arise during paddy transport operations.

Worker welfare emerged as another priority, with the minister instructing authorities to implement appropriate safety protocols for hamalis engaged in procurement work during harsh weather conditions.

Prabhakar called for enhanced coordination among panchayat secretaries, Agricultural Extension Officers, and village procurement committees to ensure timely completion of all procurement activities without further postponement.