Is Telangana Seeking an Additional 18 Lakh Tonnes of Paddy from the Centre?
Synopsis
Telangana's government has made a significant appeal to the Centre for the procurement of an additional 18 lakh tonnes of paddy. This request highlights the state's agricultural success amid ongoing financial concerns and underscores the importance of timely support for farmers.
Key Takeaways
Telangana requests an additional 18 lakh tonnes of paddy procurement from the Centre.
Chief Minister highlights higher-than-expected production .
Urgent financial relief needed for pending dues of Rs 1,468.94 crore .
Request includes provisions for broken rice tolerance .
Meeting involved key political figures and highlighted the agricultural challenges.
Hyderabad, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Telangana government has officially requested the Centre to acquire an extra 18 lakh tonnes of paddy from the state. This appeal was presented by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy during their recent meeting with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prahlad Joshi in New Delhi on Thursday.
During the discussion, both the Chief Minister and Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy made several critical requests regarding paddy procurement and outstanding payments.
The Union Minister was urged to instruct the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to procure the additional 18 lakh tonnes of paddy collected by the State during the 2025–26 Kharif (Vanakalam) season.
The Chief Minister pointed out that while procurement approval was granted for 53.73 lakh tonnes, the State harvested an additional 18 lakh tonnes due to higher-than-anticipated production levels. The State has asked for FCI to procure this surplus quantity, allowing for a 10 percent tolerance for broken rice.
For the upcoming 2024–25 Rabi (Yasangi) season, the Chief Minister has also requested consent for milling an additional 10 lakh tonnes of boiled rice with a 5 percent broken rice allowance. Additionally, he sought a two-month extension beyond February 28 for submitting Custom Milled Rice (CMR) related to the 2024–25 Kharif season.
The Chief Minister further emphasized the need for the immediate release of pending dues totaling Rs 1,468.94 crore owed to Telangana for rice supplied to FCI during the 2014–15 Kharif season. He noted that the State Government had previously taken loans to manage the additional levy procurement during that period, leading to an accumulated interest exceeding ₹2,000 crore.
Moreover, the Chief Minister requested the disbursement of Rs 343.27 crore still owed for rice supplied under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY) from May 2021 to March 2022, as well as supplies made in April 2022.
Present at the meeting were Members of Parliament Dr. Mallu Ravi and Suresh Shetkar, Additional Director of the State Civil Supplies Department Rohit Singh, and Coordinator for Central Government Schemes Dr. Gaurav Uppal.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the impact of Telangana's request on the agricultural sector. The plea for additional procurement and the settlement of pending dues not only affects local farmers but also sheds light on the ongoing challenges within India's agricultural policies. Supporting farmers is essential for ensuring food security and sustaining rural economies. The government's response to this request will be closely watched, as it demonstrates a commitment to addressing the needs of the agricultural community.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main request made by Telangana government?
The Telangana government has requested the Centre to procure an additional 18 lakh tonnes of paddy from the state.
Who made this request?
The request was made by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy.
Why does Telangana need additional procurement?
Due to higher-than-expected production during the season, Telangana harvested more paddy than initially planned.
What are the financial implications for Telangana?
The state is also seeking the release of pending dues amounting to Rs 1,468.94 crore for rice supplied to FCI.
How does this affect farmers in Telangana?
The procurement request is critical for supporting farmers financially and ensuring their livelihoods amid rising production costs.
