140 godowns built for farm produce storage: Harish

Minister for Marketing and Legislature Affairs T Harish Rao today said the government has constructed 140 godowns so far for the storage of farm produce.

When the Opposition members sought a clarification on the number of godowns built during the Question Hour, Harish Rao informed the House the TRS Government took prompt measures to increase storage capacity in all the mandals for preserving farm produce. “At the directive of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, we are planning to increase the storage capacity spending Rs 1024 crore”,  he said. Steps taken by the government proved beneficial and the Marketing department could earn Rs 150-croe revenue, he said.

Reacting on Komatireddy Venkat Reddy’s plea, Harish Rao agreed to set up a market for Bathai (sweet orange) storage in Nalgonda district. The minister said the government allotted 15 acres of irrigation land for the purpose. A team visited Maharashtra on the storage facility and steps will be taken soon for the market, he informed. Under Rythu Bandhu scheme, Rs 10 crore were sanctioned for the purpose and tenders were accepted through online e-procurement, he added. (NSS)