The government formed a Cabinet sub-committee under the chairmanship of DyCM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to look into modalities of the scheme.
Published Jul 14, 2024 | 2:25 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2024 | 2:25 PM
Dy CM Bhatti Vikramarka addressing farmers in Adilabad (Supplied)
A Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government’s initiative to weed out ineligible persons receiving Rythu Bharosa seems to be yielding results, even as farmers sought a few changes in the scheme.
In one instance, it was found that a man in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district was receiving the benefits even after converting his 33 acres of agricultural land for construction purposes.
The man, M Yadagiri Reddy of Pocharam village in Ghatkesar Mandal, has been asked to return ₹16 lakh to the government.
The Rythu Bharosa scheme promises to pay ₹15,000 an acre annually to agriculture landholders.
However, the present Revanth Reddy dispensation decided to review the scheme following allegations of nepotism by the previous government. It has been alleged that owners of non-agriculture land, too, were paid under the scheme.
The government also formed a Cabinet sub-committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to look into the matter. The sub-committee held a meeting at Adilabad on Thursday, 11 July, and decided to hold further meetings at the district level to review the scheme.
District collectors are now coordinating with tahsildars to verify the Rythu Bharosa payments.
Several officials South First spoke to, said they have been orally instructed to verify the beneficiaries of Rythu Bharosa. After verification, the Agriculture Department will the relevant records to the government.
Vikramarka said the sub-committee will look into means to increase farmers’ productivity.
“We understand that non-agricultural land-owning people are benefitting from Rythu Bharosa. Officials are looking into it and unlike the previous government, we won’t let such injustice happen,” he said.
The deputy chief minister said the farmers’ opinions will be sought on the modalities to be followed to implement the scheme.
“We have not made — or considering — any changes. We want the farmers to benefit and also ensure transparency,” he added.
He said the farmers’ opinions will be codified and placed before the Assembly for a discussion.
The farmers who attended the meeting demanded the government limit the Rythu Bharosa scheme to small farmers holding below 10 acres. They wanted crop investment assistance for the poor, Dalit, and tribal farmers instead of big farmers, considering the financial burden on the state.
A tribal farmer, Meshram Jangu, said that they were cultivating crops only during rains and there was nothing left after expenses. He said that half of the financial assistance should be given to tenant farmers.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
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