BJP Leader Criticizes Officials Over Paddy Procurement Issues in Sathupalli
BJP senior leader and Khammam Parliament Convener, Namburi Ramalingeswara Rao, expressed his frustration with officials for disregarding the District Collector’s directives on paddy procurement in Sathupalli. On Friday, Rao, accompanied by other party leaders, visited procurement centers in the constituency and interacted with distressed farmers.
In Erugatla Panchayat of Penuballi Mandal, Rao observed the severe difficulties faced by farmers. These farmers have been waiting for more than 40 days to sell their harvested paddy, which was cultivated across 1,000 acres. Despite preparing three bales of paddy, amounting to 30 to 35 truckloads, no efforts have been made to purchase their produce.
Rao explained that four days ago, farmers approached the District Collector for assistance. In response, the Collector instructed Civil Supplies District Manager Srilatha to procure the paddy immediately. However, no action has been taken so far, leaving the farmers in a desperate situation.
On Thursday, BJP National Executive Committee member Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy visited Kallur Mandal, where he was informed of the farmers’ struggles. Acting upon his directions, Penuballi Mandal President Borra Narasimha Rao inspected the bales on Friday. During the inspection, it was confirmed that 25,000 bags of paddy were ready for procurement.
Rao also spoke to the Civil Supplies Manager over the phone, urging immediate action to resolve the issue. Farmers alleged that a local Congress leader was interfering in the process for personal gain, causing further delays in procurement.
The BJP has issued a warning of large-scale protests by farmers if the District Collector does not address the issue urgently. Leaders including Padigala Madhusudhan Rao, Orugantu Ramu, Satyanarayana Reddy, Konathala Venkataswamy, and several local farmers participated in the program to support the cause.
