The Central government has categorically stated that it would not purchase parboiled rice in Yasangi and it did not take any decision on the extent of paddy to be procured in Vanakalam in Telangana.
With the Centre’s decision, the parboiled rice will fade into oblivion. Following directions from Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, a delegation comprising MPs, Ministers and officials from Telangana met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The delegation led by Industries and IT Minister K T Rama Rao took part in discussions with Tomar and Goyal separately and requested that the Centre procure paddy cultivated in Vanakalam and give a clarity on procurement of paddy in forthcoming Yasangi.
During the discussion, the Centre did not give any clarity on procuring paddy cultivated in Telangana in Vanakalam. Since it could not take a decision on procurement, the Centre said they would meet again on November 26.
The Centre has once again made it clear that it would not purchase parboiled rice from Telangana in Yasangi. The Union Ministers said that they would clarify the extent of paddy to be procured from
Telangana during the meeting on November 26.
However, the Centre has agreed to increase the limit of procuring rice from the State. It gave this assurance following a demand from the Chief Minister. The delegation informed the Centre that the farmers were cultivating paddy in 62.13 lakh acres across the State.
Yet, the Centre did not take any decision on the extent of procuring paddy and kept it pending. The Centre, however, responded positively to the request made by the Chief Minister to declare the annual paddy procurement target well in advance.
Complimenting the Chief Minister for the advice, the Centre underscored the need of informing the annual target to the farmers across the country. It said the details of yearly procurement target of paddy would be declared much earlier for the convenience of farmers and from the next year onwards, a new policy would be introduced. The Central government also announced that the policy would be extended to the entire country.
The farmers in Telangana should wait for some more time on cultivating paddy in Yasangi till the Central government gives clarity on procurement issues.