Uttam Kumar Reddy Leads Review as Telangana Braces for Cyclone Montha; Officials Directed to Safeguard Paddy Procurement Process
Hyderabad, October 27: Telangana Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, convened a high-level review meeting on Monday to assess preparedness and coordinate emergency measures as Cyclone Montha threatens to bring unseasonal rains across the state.
The meeting, held at Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute in Hyderabad, was attended by Chief Secretary S. Ramakrishna Rao, Agriculture Secretary Surendra Mohan, Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra, and other senior officials from key departments. District Collectors from across Telangana also participated via video conference to report on ground-level arrangements.
Focus on Protecting Paddy Procurement
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to stay on high alert and take all necessary precautions to ensure that the impending cyclone does not disrupt the ongoing paddy procurement process. He emphasized that no farmer should suffer losses under any circumstances and that officials must adopt proactive measures to protect stocks from damage due to rains.
He instructed district administrations to ensure that tarpaulins are used to cover the paddy already received at procurement centres and that transportation to rice mills is expedited. He also asked the Civil Supplies and Transport Departments to work in coordination to ensure the uninterrupted movement of paddy.
Uttam Kumar Reddy advised that harvesting activities be temporarily suspended in areas likely to be affected by heavy rainfall to prevent crop damage. He directed all departments concerned to function in a coordinated manner for the next 30 to 45 days, which are expected to be crucial for managing the fallout of the cyclone.
Procurement Status and Logistics
According to official data, the state has so far procured 1,80,452 metric tonnes of paddy from 22,433 farmers, worth ₹431.09 crore. This includes 73,628 metric tonnes of coarse grain and 1,06,824 metric tonnes of fine grain.
Out of the 8,342 procurement centres sanctioned across Telangana, 4,428 are currently operational, and efforts are underway to open the remaining 3,814 centres within the next few days. The minister instructed officials to speed up farmer payments, ensure adequate gunny bags and storage facilities, and maintain continuous supervision at all centres.
Zero Tolerance for Irregularities
Issuing a stern warning, the Civil Supplies Minister said that any corruption or irregularities in paddy procurement will invite strict disciplinary action. He urged officials to conduct regular field inspections to ensure transparency and accountability.
Collectors, Joint Collectors, and Civil Supplies Officers were directed to personally monitor procurement operations and respond immediately to any issues reported from the field. “Transparency and efficiency must be our top priorities. No lapse that harms farmers’ interests will be tolerated,” he asserted.
24×7 Coordination and Emergency Response
The minister announced that Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra will be available round the clock to coordinate response and logistics efforts. Uttam Kumar Reddy added that he himself could be contacted directly during emergencies to facilitate quick decision-making.
Addressing officials from the Civil Supplies, Agriculture, Marketing, and FCI departments, the minister said that the next 10 to 15 days will be critical, as the government’s handling of paddy, maize, and cotton procurement during this period will be closely observed.
He also advised district-level officers to act proactively even if it involves emergency expenditure, assuring them that the government would provide post-facto approvals for such actions taken in the interest of farmers.
Government’s Commitment to Farmers
Reiterating the government’s unwavering support for the farming community, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that all departments must work with dedication to ensure smooth procurement and timely payments. He reaffirmed that the government will stand by farmers and ensure that their produce is protected and fairly compensated despite adverse weather conditions.
“The next few weeks are crucial. Our top priority is to ensure that every farmer’s hard-earned crop is safe and that procurement continues seamlessly despite Cyclone Montha,” the minister concluded.
