YSRCP MLA accuses Minister of corruption

Nellore: YSRCP district convener and Sarvepalli MLA Kakani Govardhan Reddy alleged on Thursday Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy had received Rs 50 crore as bribe from the millers in the district. Hence, the Minister has been trying to procure paddy from the farmers at low price, he added.

Govardhan Reddy along with leaders of farmers’ associations handed over a representation to Joint Collector A Md Imtiaz Ahmed at his camp office here on Thursday. Speaking to the media, Sarvepalli MLA has criticised Somireddy for trying to dilute the functioning of the Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs) in the district.

Minister has been supporting the millers to purchase paddy at low prices from the farmers, he alleged. The MLA demanded the government to announce MSP of Rs 16,000 per putty of paddy. ‘Even though, the state government had announced Rs 13,500 for one putty of paddy. But, millers and middlemen, who formed syndicate, have been deceiving the farmers.

Millers have not coming forward to procure paddy at the PPCs centres. Meanwhile, middlemen were purchasing the paddy at Rs 11,500 per putty, said Govardhan Reddy. Telugu Desam government had failed to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission as promised during the polls, he added. He explained that the cost of cultivation had increased in the recent years.

“If the government implements Swaminathan Commission recommendations then they have to pay Rs 25,000 for one putty of paddy,” the MLA said. The government had betrayed farmers and announced Rs 13,500 for one putty of paddy against the cost of production of Rs 16,600, he added. YSRCP would launch an agitation if the government fails to resolve these issues in the district, the MLA warned. ZP Vice-Chairperson P Sirisha and others were present.