Will announce war on Centre if it fails to purchase paddy, other crops from Telangana: CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad: Alleging that the Centre is not giving importance to Telangana in crop procurement compared to other states, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said the state government would announce a "war" on the Centre after June 15 if it failed to purchase paddy and other crops from the state.

Addressing a public meeting at Kagaznagar in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district on Monday evening after launching the second phase of 'Indiramma' housing scheme, he said the state government is procuring 75 lakh quintals of paddy during the current Rabi season.

Though the state government met Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi several times, the Centre is not giving Telangana the importance it gave to Punjab, Haryana and other states in terms of crop procurement, he alleged.

The state's paddy procurement would be over by June 15, while maize crop output this season is about 40 lakh quintals against four-five lakh quintals in the past, he said.

Jowar and sunflower have also seen good crop output during the current season, he added.

Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, who is from Telangana, should take responsibility to make the Centre purchase the produce from the state, he said.

"I am asking Kishan Reddy where we stock the paddy, maize and others procured by us? I am appealing to Kishan Reddy. Immediately, the Centre should purchase paddy, including that soaked in rainwater, and others. Kishan Reddy should take that responsibility. If Kishan Reddy does not take that responsibility, they will be dumped at your party office or your house after June 15. War will be declared on the Centre," the chief minister said.

He also alleged that his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis is not responding to his request for a meeting to discuss the height of a barrage proposed to be built by Telangana on the Godavari River at Tummidihetti on the inter-state border.

The CM is seeking a meeting with Fadnavis as the barrage upon its completion would lead to submergence in Maharashtra.

Kishan Reddy should take responsibility for arranging the meeting with Fadnavis as well, he said.

"I humbly submit that if Kishan Reddy does not take responsibility, then it would be a problem for him to move freely in Telangana," he said.

It is the responsibility of the state to procure and the responsibility of the Centre to purchase them, the CM said.