Komatireddy warns rice millers against unfair trade practices

Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy stated that Nalgonda district would be ranked first in the state in paddy procurement. He was inaugurating a Yasagngi (Rabi) paddy procurement centre at Arjalabhavi under the aegis of the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS).
On the occasion, addressing farmers, he urged them to ensure their paddy is cleaned, dried, and tested for moisture content before bringing it to the procurement centres. He emphasised that the state government has set up special procurement centres for fine rice varieties and is offering Rs 500 a quintal as a bonus, encouraging farmers to make full use of this benefit. He called for cooperation from farmers, PACS, and IKP centres in the procurement process.
The minister announced that 375 procurement centres would be established across the district for this season, with the flexibility to increase their number based on the arrival of paddy. He directed officials to ensure all necessary facilities at the procurement centres, including drinking water, ORS packets, and shaded rest areas for farmers, keeping in mind the summer heat. He also warned millers against unfair trade practices and unnecessary deductions on the pretext of moisture content, stating that strict action would be taken against any malpractice. He reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting fine rice production and revealed that from Ugadi, ration cardholders in the state would receive fine rice, with the Chief Minister set to launch the programme in Huzurnagar.
Speaking on irrigation and infrastructure, the Minister highlighted that water from the Udaya Samudram Project helped increase the cultivated area by one lakh acres this year, with irrigation extended up to Yellareddygudem. He added that water would soon be drawn from the Srisailam Hydel Project through the AMRP canal.
District Collector Ila Tripathi urged farmers to bring quality paddy to procurement centres and ensure proper segregation of coarse and fine varieties. She announced that flying squads have been deployed to monitor procurement and ensure a smooth process. She highlighted that water releases from the Nagarjuna Sagar Project for two seasons had significantly increased the ayacut by one lakh acres.
Later in the day, Minister Venkat Reddy and Collector Ila Tripathi inaugurated another paddy procurement centre at Tipparti Market Yard. The minister stated that Tipparti PACS had procured 75,000 metric tons of paddy last year and reiterated that the government was offering Rs 2,320 per quintal as the minimum support price along with a Rs 500 bonus for fine rice.
He praised the district administration for conducting public grievance programmes and noted that special grievance sessions were being held for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
 He assured farmers that all procurement centres had been equipped with automatic paddy cleaning machines, moisture testing equipment, and other necessary facilities.