SEED SUPPLY: Minister for Panchayat Raj J.C. Diwakar Reddy handing over a seed groundnut bag to a woman farmer at Tadipatri in Anantapur on Tuesday.

ANANTAPUR: Minister for Panchayat Raj J.C. Diwakar Reddy launched the supply of subsidised seed groundnut at Tadipatri in the district on Tuesday. However, it ran into rough weather at several places due to the unnecessary hurry exhibited by farmers leading to jostling and stampede.

The seed supply witnessed problem at Rapthadu, Gorantla, Singanamala, Kalyanadurg and a few other places due to heavy rush of farmers on the first day.

Officials could not open five counters each at mandal-level sales points.

As a result, the farmers hurried through the barricades for getting delivery slips after getting their pattadar passbooks verified and paying the amount for the seed.

Barricades were displaced at several places and there were not many policemen to control them, as most of the police were engaged in duties related to Governor's visit.

The delay in issuance of delivery slips angered the farmers at Rapthadu and they hurled stones on the Tehsildar's office in a fit of emotion. Similar scenes were witnessed at Singanamala too. In Gorantla, a woman farmer was injured in the jostling and later stampede resulted in the mad rush for getting the delivery slips.

Farmers protested against the condition of issuing seed only to those whose photos were pasted on the pattadar passbooks at several places.

The supply was stopped for sometime at Kalyanadurg as it had become difficult to control the farmers rushing to the counters for taking delivery slips. Speaking at Tadipatri, the Minister said the seed would be supplied in 62 out of 63 mandal headquarters and on alternate days.

Of the 5.5 lakh quintals proposed to be supplied for the kharif season 2.08 lakh quintals had already been positioned in mandal level godowns and buffer stock points, he said.

He warned the officials, middlemen and farmers that criminal cases would be registered against them, if they were found to be indulging in misuse of the seed.

Steps were also being taken to prevent pilferage of subsidised seed to the black market and possible recycling.

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