Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday, 25 May alleged that the Central government is failing to procure even 30 per cent of the food grains produced by farmers across the country, despite announcing Minimum Support Prices (MSP). The remarks came during separate meetings with delegations of Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) leaders in Hyderabad.

Centre's Procurement Shortfall

Revanth Reddy alleged that while the Centre publicly commits to MSP-based procurement, actual offtake falls well short of what farmers harvest. He stressed that Left parties and others must raise pointed questions with the Centre regarding its crop procurement policies, arguing that the gap between announced MSP and actual procurement leaves farmers exposed to market price volatility.

The Chief Minister specifically highlighted maize as a crop where the Centre has not stepped in despite a good yield in Telangana this season. He said the state government is procuring maize at MSP even if it results in a financial loss to the exchequer, so that farmers are not forced to sell at distressed prices.

Telangana's Own Procurement Drive

Revanth Reddy stated that the Telangana government is procuring every grain produced by farmers within the state. He acknowledged that procurement operations are encountering logistical challenges — specifically, a shortage of hamalis (porters) attributed to the West Bengal elections drawing labour away, compounded by extreme summer heat restricting afternoon work hours.

Despite these hurdles, he said the government is maintaining continuous monitoring of procurement operations. On fine variety paddy, the state is offering a bonus of ₹500 per quintal above MSP to incentivise farmers.

Musi River Project and Rehabilitation Assurances

On the Musi River redevelopment project, Revanth Reddy assured that families displaced by the project would be rehabilitated within their local area. He alleged that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are politicising the Musi issue and reiterated the government's ambition to transform the river corridor into a world-class tourist destination.

He added that the Musi project is expected to generate employment for youth and help address severe pollution affecting residents in Nalgonda district.

Left Delegations Thank CM on Minimum Wages

A CPI delegation led by party MLA Kunamaneni Sambashiva Rao thanked the Chief Minister for the decision to increase minimum wages for workers. Those present included CPI MLC Satyam, and leaders Chad Venkata Reddy, Pashya Padma, E. Narasimha, Bagam Hemant Rao, Shankar, Bal Narasimha, VS Bose, and Rajya Sabha member Vem Narender Reddy.

A separate CPI-M delegation led by state Secretary John Wesley also met the Chief Minister and commended the minimum wage revision legislation, stating it would benefit workers and employees across Telangana. The meeting was attended by former MLA Julakanti Ranga Reddy, P. Sudarshan, Jyothi, Nunna Nageswara Rao, Mallu Lakshmi, Samineni Swarajyam, M. Gopala Rao, and Rajya Sabha member Narender Reddy.

Education Reforms on the Agenda

Revanth Reddy also outlined ongoing public education reforms, highlighting the provision of nutritious breakfasts and meals to students and the establishment of Telangana Public Schools across the state. He said the government's overarching objective is to improve quality of life for urban residents and ensure equitable access to quality education.

With the Centre-state standoff over grain procurement showing no signs of resolution, the pressure on Telangana's own procurement budget — already absorbing losses on maize — is likely to intensify as the kharif season approaches.