KTR slams Telangana Congress over farmer procurement delays, warns of BRS agitation
Synopsis
BRS working president KTR took his farmer protest to the ground on 5 May, touring Warangal procurement centres and accusing the Telangana Congress of deliberately stalling crop purchases to avoid paying MSP. His allegation that ₹23,000 crore raised in Markfed's name has been diverted adds a sharp financial accountability dimension to what is fast becoming a full-blown agrarian flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
KTR visited procurement centres in undivided Warangal district on 5 May 2025 , interacting with distressed farmers.
Farmers reported procurement stalled for over 15 days , with no clarity from the government even after nearly a month.
KTR alleged the Congress government is avoiding procurement to escape paying MSP of ₹2,460 and a promised bonus.
He accused the government of diverting nearly ₹23,000 crore raised in Markfed's name, crippling the agency's operations.
BRS demanded immediate release of Rythu Bandhu funds and unconditional procurement of all crops.
KTR warned of intensified BRS agitation and a statewide siege if the government continues to neglect farmers.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Tuesday, 5 May urged the Congress government in Telangana to take immediate steps to procure farmers' produce, accusing it of being in a "deep slumber" as large quantities of paddy, maize, groundnut, and other crops piled up unattended at market yards across the state.
Ground Visit to Warangal Procurement Centres
KTR visited multiple procurement centres in the undivided Warangal district to assess the situation firsthand. According to a party statement, he inspected centres at Yashwanthapur in Jangaon constituency, Ukkal Society in Geesukonda mandal of Parakala constituency, and the Narsampet market yard. During these visits, he interacted directly with farmers and heard their grievances in detail.
Farmers' Distress and Procurement Stall
Farmers at the visited centres expressed severe distress, stating that procurement had been stalled for over 15 days and that even after nearly a month, the government had failed to provide any clarity on its intentions. They alleged that repeated appeals to Markfed officials and the district administration had gone unheard, resulting in mounting losses and hardships for cultivators.
KTR's Allegations Against the Congress Government
KTR directly spoke to Markfed Managing Director Srinivas Reddy and questioned the agency's failure to act. He alleged that the government was deliberately avoiding procurement to escape paying the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,460 per quintal along with the promised bonus to farmers. While the government has claimed to have procured 6 lakh metric tonnes of maize, KTR argued that ground realities painted a starkly different picture, with farmers still struggling to sell their produce.
He further accused the Congress government of diverting nearly ₹23,000 crore raised in the name of Markfed towards other purposes, allegedly leaving the agency financially crippled and unable to carry out procurement operations.
Demand for Rythu Bandhu Release and Political Warning
"The Congress government has completely failed the farming community. If it has any sense of responsibility, it must immediately release Rythu Bandhu funds and ensure procurement of all crops without any conditions," KTR said. He warned that if the government continues to neglect farmers, the BRS will intensify its agitation and lay siege to the government across the state.
KTR also reminded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had announced a Farmer Declaration from Warangal with several promises, none of which have seen progress in implementation, according to the BRS. He assured farmers that the party would stand firmly with them until every grain is procured and justice is delivered.
Point of View
But the underlying grievance is real — procurement delays at harvest time translate directly into distress sales and income loss for farmers. The allegation that ₹23,000 crore raised in Markfed's name has been diverted is a serious accountability claim that deserves independent scrutiny, not just a political rebuttal. The Congress government's silence on MSP payment timelines, combined with Rahul Gandhi's unfulfilled Warangal Farmer Declaration, hands the BRS a ready-made narrative ahead of any electoral cycle. The real losers in this political standoff, as always, are the farmers waiting at the market yards.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is KTR criticising the Telangana government over farmer procurement?
KTR alleges that the Telangana Congress government has stalled procurement of paddy, maize, groundnut, and other crops for over 15 days, leaving farmers with mounting losses. He also accuses the government of deliberately avoiding procurement to escape paying the MSP of ₹2,460 per quintal and a promised bonus.
What did KTR find during his visit to Warangal procurement centres?
KTR visited centres at Yashwanthapur, Ukkal Society in Geesukonda mandal, and Narsampet market yard, where farmers told him their produce had been lying unattended for nearly a month. He spoke to Markfed MD Srinivas Reddy and questioned the agency's inaction.
What is the ₹23,000 crore allegation against the Telangana government?
KTR has alleged that the Congress government diverted nearly ₹23,000 crore raised in the name of Markfed towards other purposes, leaving the procurement agency financially crippled. This allegation, made by the BRS, has not been independently verified.
What has BRS demanded from the Telangana government?
BRS has demanded the immediate release of Rythu Bandhu funds and unconditional procurement of all crops at MSP. KTR warned that if the government fails to act, the BRS will intensify agitation and lay siege to the government across Telangana.
What is the Rahul Gandhi Farmer Declaration mentioned by KTR?
KTR referred to a Farmer Declaration announced by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Warangal, which reportedly carried several promises to the farming community. According to the BRS, none of these promises have seen any progress in implementation.
