Former Minister Sabita Indra Reddy Criticises Paddy Procurement Delays, Warns of Farmer Protests

Hyderabad: Former minister and MLA Sabita Indra Reddy has levelled strong criticism at the government for its handling of paddy procurement, contending that delays in the process have left farmers across multiple regions in dire straits.

During an inspection of a paddy procurement centre at Thunkimetla in Bomraspet mandal of Vikarabad district, Sabita Indra Reddy alleged that procurement operations have been grossly mismanaged by the authorities. She pointed to rain damage affecting harvested stocks and sprouting in grain reserves as compounding factors that have worsened the situation.

The former minister drew attention to the plight of farmers in Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's own constituency, asserting that conditions there mirror the broader crisis facing agricultural communities throughout the state. She attributed the deterioration in farmers' circumstances to the period since the Chief Minister took office.

Sabita Indra Reddy called for the government to expedite procurement activities without further delay. In a stark warning, she indicated that farmers and opposition figures would mobilise large-scale agitations should the government persist in failing to respond promptly to the crisis.

The inspection was also attended by MLC Naveen Kumar Reddy and former MLA Patnam Narender.