Published May 21, 2026 | 5:39 PM ⚊ Updated May 21, 2026 | 5:39 PM
BRS working president KT Rama Rao. Credit: x.com/BRSparty
Synopsis: In an open letter addressed to the Chief Minister, KTR also demanded an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh each for the families of farmers who allegedly died near procurement centres due to delays and mismanagement. He warned that failure to act swiftly would further intensify resentment among the farming community against the government.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao on Thursday, 21 May, accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of failing to protect the interests of farmers and mishandling procurement operations across Telangana. He demanded that the State Cabinet meeting scheduled for 23 May discuss the procurement crisis and announce immediate measures to procure all pending grain stocks and ensure prompt payments to farmers.
In an open letter addressed to the Chief Minister, KTR also demanded an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh each for the families of farmers who allegedly died near procurement centres due to delays and mismanagement. He warned that failure to act swiftly would further intensify resentment among the farming community against the government.
He alleged that after assuming power, the Congress government dismantled welfare and support mechanisms introduced during the previous BRS regime and failed to effectively manage investment support, fertiliser supply and crop procurement operations.
According to KTR, farmers in several districts had been waiting at procurement centres for nearly two months without proper procurement taking place. He claimed that protests and dharnas were being organised daily across Telangana, with farmers demanding immediate intervention by the government.
The BRS working president also alleged that several farmers had collapsed or died near procurement centres due to heatstroke, stress and prolonged waiting. He criticised the Chief Minister for allegedly not visiting any procurement centre despite the prevailing situation.
KTR further accused the Chief Minister of prioritising political engagements in Delhi over addressing the crisis, adding that it could have been avoided had the government focused adequately on procurement arrangements.
Drawing a comparison with the previous BRS government, KTR said procurement planning during former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s tenure used to begin well in advance and was continuously monitored to ensure smooth operations and timely payments to farmers.
He stated that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the previous government had procured grain directly from threshing yards and extended support to farmers during difficult circumstances.
