KCR sets 24-hr deadline for Centre on paddy

New Delhi/Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday led the State Cabinet on a protest in the national capital, demanding the Centre to procure entire paddy from the state during ongoing Rabi season.

The chief minister set a 24-hour deadline before the Centre to take a decision on the State's demand.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, cautioned the Centre that if it failed to respond to the demand, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government will chalk it's next course of action.

He reiterated the demand that the Centre announce a uniform foodgrains procurement policy for the entire country.

TRS MPs, state legislators, other public representatives and party leaders participated in the protest, the first such protest by TRS in the national capital on paddy issue.

With folded hands, KCR requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Food Minister Piyush Goyal to come to the rescue of Telangana farmers by procuring paddy.

The TRS chief slammed Piyush Goyal for his remarks, suggesting the state government to make Telangana people develop the habit of eating broken rice.

KCR alleged that the Centre is adopting discriminatory policy towards Telangana.

He reminded Modi government that no government could save itself after inviting the wrath of farmers.

He thanked Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait for extending support to the protest.