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Hans India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Karnataka Paddy Smuggling Sparks Farmer Outrage in Telangana: Kondapuram IKP Center Locked in Protest
Gadwal: Tension flared among local farmers on Saturday as serious allegations emerged against civil supplies officials, IKP center coordinators, and private agents for allegedly prioritizing illegally transported paddy from Karnataka over locally grown Telangana produce. Farmers from Kondapuram, Venkatapuram, Eerlabanda, and Yarsandoddi villages expressed their anguish, claiming that the paddy procurement centers in their region have restricted the purchase of local paddy only to select farmers ("Kallas") while rejecting the majority under various pretexts. In a strong show of dissent, Kondapuram farmers locked the IKP (Indira Kranthi Patham) procurement center and launched a protest, demanding accountability and justice. Key Allegations by Farmers: Karnataka Paddy Getting Preference: Farmers alleged that IKP center officials and civil supplies personnel, in collusion with millers and middlemen, are secretly transporting large quantities of paddy from the neighboring state of Karnataka during the night. These loads are then being purchased at local Telangana procurement centers, depriving local farmers of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and declared bonus for Telangana-grown paddy. Political Bias and Corruption: It was claimed that local center managers are indulging in favoritism and political bias, limiting procurement only to selected individuals while denying others by citing reasons such as the non-availability of gunny bags or moisture content in the produce—even when within permissible limits. Neglect by Authorities: Despite repeated complaints and appeals to higher officials, the farmers said their pleas were ignored. This lack of response has forced them to resort to protest actions, such as locking the procurement center, to bring attention to their plight. One protesting farmer said, "Our hard-earned crops are being rejected while illegally brought paddy from Karnataka is being accepted and sent to rice mills. What is the motive behind this? Are Telangana farmers being betrayed in their own land?" Farmers Demand Immediate Action: The farmers called on district and state-level civil supplies officials to: Immediately halt the procurement of illegally transported Karnataka paddy, Ensure the purchase of Telangana paddy with due MSP and bonus, Provide sufficient gunny bags and remove arbitrary restrictions on moisture content, Take disciplinary action against corrupt officials and middlemen involved in this racket. As procurement season continues, such allegations of cross-border grain smuggling and favoritism threaten to erode farmer trust in government-run procurement systems. Local farmers have warned of intensified protests if their issues are not resolved promptly.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Bonus on fine rice boosts paddy smuggling from Andhra Pradesh to Telangana
NALGONDA: Police have stepped up surveillance and imposed restrictions along the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border to curb the illegal transportation of paddy into Telangana. At the Wadapalli border check post, police intercepted and seized seven lorries carrying paddy from Andhra Pradesh. Cases have been registered against brokers based in AP, who are suspected of smuggling paddy into Telangana to take advantage of the state government's Rs 500 bonus for a quintal of fine rice. Telangana police have reiterated that the procurement of paddy from other states within Telangana is strictly prohibited. As a result, cases are being booked against those attempting to flout the rule. In addition to Wadapalli, key checkpoints have been established at Kodad and Nagarjunasagar to monitor and prevent cross-border paddy movement. Law enforcement officials have issued a stern warning, stating that stringent action will be taken against anyone involved in illegal paddy transportation. The illegal influx of fine rice from Andhra Pradesh and other states is creating major hardships for farmers in Telangana. Reports indicate that the middlemen are taking advantage of the situation by routing paddy from other states through Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP) centres. These agents are allegedly making deals with local farmers to use their pattadar passbooks and Aadhaar cards to pass off the smuggled rice as local produce. In return, the farmers receive a commission of Rs 100 to Rs 150 per quintal from the bonus amount paid by the state government. The IKP system offers a government bonus of Rs 500 per quintal for fine paddy sold by local farmers. However, the heavy inflow of illegally sourced paddy is causing serious congestion at procurement centres, leading to delays in weighing and lifting of the produce. This backlog is forcing Telangana farmers to wait for extended periods, often resulting in their harvested paddy being exposed to unexpected rains, causing considerable damage. A farmer from Tripuraram mandal headquarters in the district expressed frustration, lamenting that rice millers are increasingly favouring cheaper paddy from Andhra Pradesh, leaving local farmers unable to sell their produce at the MSP (Minimum Support Price). The ongoing situation has intensified the call for stricter enforcement and protective measures to safeguard the interests of Telangana farmers.
