Paddy and Maize Crisis: CM Revanth Holds Review, Warns Collectors Over Delays

Hyderabad: Amid mounting pressure from the opposition and growing distress among the farming community, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy held a crucial high-level review meeting via video conference on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to assess the ongoing status of paddy and corn (maize) procurement across the state. Taking a serious view of the administrative lapses that have left farmers vulnerable to unseasonal weather, the Chief Minister warned District Collectors that any negligence or delay in the procurement process would invite strict accountability and disciplinary action. The high-stakes meeting was attended by Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and senior administrative officials at the State Secretariat.

The review meeting comes at a time when farmers across several districts have staged protests over severe shortages of gunny bags, lack of labor, and delays in transporting harvested crops from purchase centers to warehouses. The situation has been compounded by sudden, unseasonal summer rains that have soaked and damaged uncovered grain stocks. Addressing the storage crisis, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered immediate, temporary infrastructure solutions, directing Collectors to utilize local rythu bazars (farmers’ markets) and private function halls as temporary storage points to move the grain safely away from weather hazards. To tackle the transport deficit, the government has authorized officials to hire private tractors and alternative commercial vehicles if regular transport trucks are unavailable, ensuring the swift lifting of purchased grain.

As part of the key directives issued during the review, District Collectors must now conduct regular field inspections of procurement centers and submit daily progress reports directly to the Chief Secretary. In light of higher maize crop yields this Yasangi (Rabi) season, Collectors have been asked to remain highly vigilant and seek police assistance wherever necessary to maintain order and prevent illegal hoarding or distress selling. Furthermore, the administration has been ordered to deploy ready-to-use tarpaulins at all高度 (IKP) and agricultural market yards, alongside appointing a designated special officer to issue real-time weather updates to farmers.

The procurement process has triggered intense political debates in the state. Opposition leaders from the BRS, including former ministers T. Harish Rao and Vemula Prashanth Reddy, have heavily criticized the Congress-led administration over the past week, alleging that weak administrative control has pushed farmers into overnight vigils at market yards to protect their produce. Defending the state’s efforts, Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy noted that the administration is operating thousands of purchase centers to manage a massive harvest season. He assured that the government is fully committed to maintaining the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2,369 per quintal for common grade paddy and Rs. 2,389 for fine varieties, with a target to minimize delays and clear payments swiftly. Concluding the session, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasized that the administrative machinery must work seamlessly across departments to restore confidence among the farming community and clear the backlogs without further delay.