Telangana is on the course crossing procurement of 75 lakh metric tonne of paddy, surpassing the record 74.2 lakh metric tonne procurement during Rabi season last year.

Procurement this year has already crossed 70 lakh metric tonne and another 4.95 lakh metric tonne remains to be procured at purchase centres. Coupled with the arrivals likely from the field over the next one week, total procurement is expected to go well beyond the previous year’s quantum setting a new benchmark.

Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed the district collectors and Civil Supplies officials to resolve bottlenecks on a war footing, particularly in districts where procurement was still in progress. The government was confident of achieving higher level of procurement despite challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions and shortage of Hamalis (workers/lifters).

The Minister told officials to give special attention to Nizamabad, Nirmal, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy and Vikarabad districts, where paddy arrivals were expected to continue for the next ten days. “Push the districts to finish procurement before the monsoon gains momentum. Farmers should not suffer because of weather-related disruptions,” he said adding procurement operations elsewhere were nearing completion.

He wanted the officials to concentrate on addressing space constraints wherever they existed and was informed that additional storage facilities had been identified in districts facing shortages. The Minister enquired about the movement of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) and directed officials to expedite transportation and storage operations so that fresh arrivals would be procured in a hassle free manner.

The Minister appreciated the efforts of procurement staff, transport workers and labourers who had been working round the clock to ensure smooth procurement operations across Telangana. He directed officials to extend better welfare measures for hamalis and improve their working conditions.

The State had 170 supply control points with around 3,000 hamalis and sweepers working in these centres ensuring timely and efficient movement of essential commodities. Acknowledging their hard work, the Minister instructed officials to increase their existing rates.

The Minister further directed that a special drive be taken up to identify hamalis and sweepers who are eligible for Indiramma Gruhaalu (housing scheme). Eligible workers should be given priority and special focus under the scheme. He also wanted officials to arrange insurance coverage for these workers, particularly to cover accidents and unforeseen incidents during work.