I won’t care even court orders: Siddipet Collector warns paddy seed dealers and agriculture officials
The Hindu
The Collector’s remarks evoked strong criticism from the Congress party.
A political storm is brewing over the Siddipet Collector, Venkatrami Reddy’s warning to officials and seed sellers that they would be suspended, and shops closed if even One Kg of paddy seeds were sold in the district.
In a video being shared widely on social media, the Collector was seen delivering a warning that he would not care even if they get an order from the courts or put pressure on someone making them call him, hinting at the seed dealers. “Your shops will be closed and as long as I am the Collector here they would remain closed,” he warned the dealers.
He further made some controversial statements saying there will not be any G.O. issued and this was his oral order. He also warned the Agriculture Extension Officers (AEO) that they would be suspended even if one acre of paddy cultivation was noticed in their areas. These warnings come in the wake of the government’s repeated appeals to the farmers not to go for paddy cultivation.