CM Revanth Reddy reviews on water and paddy procurement

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy warned of strict action against those who bought paddy from the farmers at lower prices. The Chief Minister issued orders to crack down on the millers who cheated farmers. The CM ordered to cancel the trade licenses of the millers and traders who buy paddy at lower prices in the agricultural market yards, stop custom milling and put them in the blacklist. The Chief Minister reviewed Paddy procurement and drinking water supply with top officials on Friday. Civil Supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Information and Public Relations minister P Srinivas Reddy were also present.

CM said it came to his notice that traders and millers reduced the prices citing reasons like moisture content in the Paddy in some places. He appealed to farmers to dry the paddy which contained higher levels of moisture before bringing it to market yards. The moisture content will be high if the paddy is transported directly to the markets from the fields, CM suggested to the farmers to keep the paddy dry to get a good price for their agricultural produce. The officials were asked to make suitable arrangements for drying the paddy and also install CCTVs in the market yards to prevent the paddy theft.

CM directed Collectors of all districts to inspect the markets and paddy purchase centers under their jurisdiction and ensure that purchases were made smoothly without any inconvenience to the farmers. The officials were instructed to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the paddy and resolve the complaints, if any, from the farmers instantly. The state level officials were directed to monitor the paddy procurement on a daily basis. The officials concerned are advised to conduct field visits in as many districts and examine the paddy procurement at the ground level.

The CM suggested that senior IAS officers who were assigned in the old districts to monitor drinking water supply should also monitor the paddy procurement as well. He instructed officials to make available tarpaulins in all market yards and paddy purchase centers to avoid any problem in case of hailstorms.

Since it is election time, the CM cautioned the officials that false complaints and some false reports are circulating to bring a bad reputation to the government for political advantages. The CM ordered to file a complaint with the Election Commission on such matters immediately.

He directed the officials to take precautionary measures to prevent drinking water problems in all the towns and villages of the state. The CM warned that the next two months will be more crucial in view of the scorching heat. He reminded that although more drinking water is being supplied compared to last year, it is not enough to meet the water requirement of the people. The present situation has arisen due to depletion of the ground water levels.

He directed the officials to continuously monitor the supply of drinking water without interruption. The officials are directed to rectify the complaints immediately and restore drinking water supply on a war footing. The State Chief Secretary will hold a review meeting on the drinking water supply every day with the top officials of Mission Bhagiratha, Municipal, Irrigation and Energy department.

The special officers for drinking water supply for the old districts have been directed to visit places where drinking water problems arises and take measures to solve the problem and bring to the attention of the higher officials. He alerted the officials to get ready with alternative arrangements even if the demand increases further without any disruption to the supply of drinking water in Hyderabad. If necessary, water will be lifted from Nagarjuna Sagar dead storage to Hyderabad and appropriate arrangements should be made immediately. Arrangements will also be made for the supply of Singur water to the city. As there is no availability of water in Krishna basin, the CM asked the officials to consult the Karnataka government for the release of water from Narayanpur reservoir for drinking water needs.

It came to CM's attention that the drinking water supply was interrupted at one place in Hyderabad due to the officials’ excessive action. He issued orders to immediately remove those who intentionally obstruct drinking water supply. Strict action will be taken against those who bring bad reputation to the government. The CM also warned that action will have to be taken against the officials if they are indifferent to such erring employees.