Cong negligent in purchasing paddy, charges Rao

Hyderabad: Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao on Thursday blamed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress govt for negligence in purchasing paddy across Telangana.He was speaking to media after inspecting paddy procurement centres at Chintapally mandal in Nalgonda district and having an interaction with the farmers.Rao said Nalgonda, known for high paddy cultivation, should have had advance arrangements based on agriculture department estimates. Instead, he alleged that procurement had stalled for 25 days, with shortages of gunny bags, transport, and tarpaulins at IKP centres. He claimed farmers were being charged hamali fees and forced to accept four kilos cut per bag. Pointing to rain-soaked, sprouting grain, he demanded immediate procurement and warned officials against illegal collections.