CM KCR in Delhi to pursue paddy issue

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday left for New Delhi by a special flight from Begumpet Airport, to pursue issues pertaining to Telangana with the Union Ministers. He is also likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues, MPs, and top officials. He is expected to stay in Delhi for three-four days and is likely to return to Hyderabad only after obtaining clarity on paddy procurement.

Sources said Chandrashekhar Rao will meet Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat over water allocation in Krishna and Godavari basins, besides requesting the Centre to set up a tribunal. He will also meet Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal on issues pertaining to paddy procurement.

“We have also sought appointment of the Prime Minister and would meet him based on his schedule,” a top official said. The Chief



Minister had already demanded the Centre to come out with a clear policy on paddy procurement and spell out its stand on procurement for Yasangi (Rabi) season. He is also likely to take up pending issues pertaining to Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, BC population census, SC categorisation and ST reservations based on population among others, with the Union Ministers concerned.

It is learnt that the TRS president would meet farmers protesting on the outskirts of Delhi, to discuss the details of around 750 farmers who died during the agitation and seek cooperation in paying ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to kin of the deceased farmers, as was announced by him on Saturday. 

He is also expected to meet like-minded leaders on taking up issues pertaining to the withdrawal of Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill and legislation to back the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops.