Action plan ready to purchase Kharif crop in Karimnagar

Karimnagar: As it was expected record-level yield during this Kharif season, all necessary measures were taken for purchasing every grain produced by the farmers, informed BC Welfare and Civil Supplies Minister Gangula Kamalakar.

Along with Health Minister Eatala Rajendar, Welfare Minister Koppula Eshwar and Civil Supplies Department Commissioner Akun Sabharwal, the Minister held a meeting with the officials concerned of four districts - Rajanna Sircilla, Peddapalli, Jagtial and Karimnagar to discuss Kharif action plan at the Collectorate conference hall in Karimnagar on Wednesday.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Kamalakar said this year an action plan was prepared to purchase around 55 lakh metric tonnes of grains that is expected during Kharif season across the State. For the first time, coordination committees with district and State bodies were established for perfect implementation of the plan, he added.

Check posts will be established at the borders to prevent illegal transportation of grains from other States to the purchasing centres, which will be established within the State along with a monitoring cell under Civil Supplies Department, he informed.

Minister Kamalakar said that last year, about 40 lakh metric tonnes of grains were purchased during the Kharif season and this year, farmers have cultivated variety of crops with sufficient water from Kaleshwaram project. About 15 lakh metric tonnes of food grains more is expected this Kharif, he added.

Last year about 874 purchasing centres were established in the undivided Karimnagar district but this year 934 purchasing centres will be set up to purchase food grains produced in this Kharif season. Accordingly, all the necessary arrangements like gunny bags and other facilities were arranged. Last year, Rs 1,750 was paid per a quintal of A-Grade variety of food grains but this year Rs 1,815 per quintal is fixed for A-Grade variety, he added.

Health Minister Rajendar ordered the officials to make all necessary arrangements for the convenience of the farmers like drinking water and toilets along with lorries for transporting the purchased grains and to respond immediately even to minor issues for smooth going of purchasing of food grains during this Kharif season.

Welfare Minister K Eshwar requested for allotment of more purchasing centres to the district as more yield is expected this Kharif season compared to last year. He also suggested the officials to advise the farmers not to bring food grains in bulk at a time as it may lead to problems.

The officials should give area-wise schedule and dates to farmers that are allotted to them.

Later, Civil Supplies Minister G Kamalakar inaugurated dashboard designed with advanced technology, which would be helpful to supervise food grains purchase centre-wise. He also released a poster of 2019-20 Action Plan of Kharif season.

ZP Chairperson K Vijaya, District Collector Sarfaraz Ahmed, Joint Collectors Yasmin Basha (Rajanna Sircilla), Shyam Prasad Lal (Karimnagar) and Rajesham (Jagtial), Vanaja Devi (Peddapalli) were present along with the officials of agriculture and marketing departments, additional SPs, FCI officials and civil supply officials of four districts were present at the meeting.