A distressing incident unfolded in Annaram village, Suryapet district, Telangana, where a paddy farmer attempted self-immolation due to prolonged delays in grain procurement. The farmer, Uppala Venkanna, had been waiting for over a month at the Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP) paddy purchase centre for his produce to be weighed. His frustration escalated upon observing that paddy stocks belonging to influential individuals with later serial numbers were being prioritized over his. In a moment of despair, Venkanna doused himself and his paddy bags with petrol, intending to set himself ablaze. Fortunately, bystanders intervened promptly, preventing a tragedy .
This incident is not isolated. In a similar case, a farmer couple from Annaram village attempted suicide after their paddy was rejected by a rice mill owner citing quality concerns. The couple alleged that millers at the IKP procurement centre were not adhering to government guidelines and were purchasing paddy below the minimum support price (MSP). They were rescued in time by locals .
Farmers across Telangana have been voicing grievances over procurement delays. In Wanaparthy district, protests erupted in multiple mandals, with farmers demanding immediate procurement of their harvested paddy. They cited issues like lack of storage facilities, unseasonal rains damaging their produce, and unresponsive officials as primary concerns .
Adding to the farmers’ woes, allegations have surfaced about illegally transported paddy from Karnataka being prioritized over local produce at procurement centres. In Kondapuram, farmers locked the IKP centre in protest, accusing officials of favoritism and corruption .
Furthermore, delays in payments have exacerbated the situation. In Sangareddy district, over 6,000 jowar farmers are awaiting payments weeks after selling their produce. Despite promises from the Agriculture Minister to deposit payments within 48 hours of procurement, delays have persisted, leaving farmers without funds to prepare for the upcoming Vanakalam season .
These incidents underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms in the procurement process to ensure timely payments and fair treatment for farmers, safeguarding their livelihoods and well-being.
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