Hyderabad, April 19 -- The Telangana government has launched an extensive Rabi 2024-25 paddy procurement operation, targeting 70.13 lakh metric tonnes (LMTs) following an estimated production of 127.50 LMTs over 57 lakh acres. This initiative is expected to push the state's total annual paddy output to a record 281 LMTs, the highest by any Indian state. Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy, addressing District Collectors via video conference on Saturday, emphasised efficient execution of the Yasangi procurement phase, especially in light of unseasonal rains that could damage harvested crops. He urged timely procurement and vigilant ground-level monitoring. As of April 18, 8.51 LMTs of paddy had arrived at procurement centres, wi...