On the 19th of June, Kona Sasidhar, the Civil Supplies Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh, addressed the media and confirmed food grain procurement worth Rs. 1,637 crores. He also said the Andhra Pradesh Government led by the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) announced Rs. 200 crore funds would be paid to farmers from today.
In addition, the Civil Supplies Commissioner addressed the recent allegations of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) National President Chandrababu Naidu, of delaying the payment to the farmers.
On the 17th of June, Nara Chandrababu wrote a letter to Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. In the letter, he demanded arrears for the grains collected from the farmers in A.P. He said farmers are suffering due to the delay in payments. The TDP President also asked the YSRCP Government to provide the promised Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers.
Explaining the delay in paying farmers, Kona Sasidhar said the Centre releases funds prior to grain procurement season which has been delayed this year, leading to farmers not receiving the funds.
“Even then, the civil supplies department managed Rs. 1,637 crores from the State Government to pay the farmers.” He said that the Central Government has to release Rs. 3,299 crores, out of which Rs. 1,200 crore would be given to the state on Monday for the first quarter of 2021 – 2022 arrear money on grain procurement.
Kona Sasidhar said the State Chief Minister released Rs. 500 crores regarding the same to avoid hardships to farmers. Of the released amount, Rs. 300 crores wasa paid to them recently. He further assured to pay the due amount of Rs. 1,619 crores for farmers, after receiving funds from the Central Government.
Sasidhar said the dues amounting to Rs. 996 crore from the previous TDP Government would also be paid to the farmers.
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