Hyderabad- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy instructed officials on Monday to take strong action against traders obstructing paddy procurement for farmers, including invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) if needed. This directive came amidst reports of rice millers creating difficulties for farmers across the state.

Reddy, who received information about the incidents, spoke to concerned officials and ordered strict measures against those harassing or exploiting farmers during the procurement process. He emphasized ensuring smooth procurement and urged district Collectors to address any issues immediately, escalating them to higher authorities if necessary.

Farmers in several areas have been protesting, demanding the purchase of paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). They allege that traders are forming cartels and forcing them to sell produce at lower prices.

In Nalgonda district, farmers protested on Sunday by parking paddy-laden tractors on the Narketpally-Adhanki State Highway. They claimed millers were offering Rs 2,100 to Rs 2,200 per quintal for fine rice varieties, significantly lower than the MSP of Rs 2,320. They also accused the millers of rejecting paddy at procurement centers due to alleged high moisture content and delaying the procurement process.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) senior leader and former minister T. Harish Rao criticized the government's handling of the paddy procurement process. He claimed that only a nominal quantity of paddy has been purchased despite the commencement of the exercise over a month ago. He alleged that the government has failed to focus on paddy purchases despite untimely rains damaging the harvested crop, forcing farmers to sell their produce at lower prices.