Harish Rao asks farmers to sell Tur Dal only at MSP

Hyderabad: Irrigation and Marketing Minister T. Harish Rao on Tuesday advised farmers not to sell the Tur Dal below the Minimum Support Price of Rs. 5,450 per quintal.

Speaking after inaugurating the Tur Dal procurement centre at Siddipet Market Yard, Harish Rao informed that 106 centres have been established across the Telangana State for procurement of Tur Dal. He said that the prices of Tur Dal are likely to go up in the coming days. Therefore, he advised farmers not sell it in a haste or panic.

Criticising the Congress party, Harish Rao said that during its regime from 2004-2014, the then Congress Government never paid proper MSP to the farmers for their produce. He said that the Congress Government had failed to provide remunerative prices for pulses. However, he said TRS Government has come up with a unique scheme wherein farmers could deposit their produce in a godown and get some advance payment in case they are not getting the MSP. Later, when the prices rise, they can sell off their produce and return the advance amount.

Harish Rao informed that six Centres would be established in Siddipet district to procure Tur Dal. Further, he said nearly 2.15 lakh maize has been procured in Siddipet district alone.