Telangana CM Revanth Reddy orders immediate payment of Rythu Bandhu funds to farmers

Chief Minister Sri A. Revanth Reddy directed the officials to start the process of depositing the Rythu Bandhu benefit in all farmers' accounts in the state from today (Monday). Hon’ble CM held a high-level review on the Agriculture Department at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Telangana…

— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) December 11, 2023

Also read: KCR blames Congress as ECI halts release of Rythu Bandhu funds

Rythu Bandhu or Rythu Bharosa?

The payment under the agriculture investment support scheme to farmers for rabi crops was kept on hold in the run-up to the 30 November Telangana Assembly elections as the Model Code of Conduct was in force at that time.

In fact, Revanth Reddy, while campaigning for the elections, promised to credit the money to the farmers immediately after coming to power.

The new Congress government’s official statement on the release of funds, however, did not say how much was being credited to the farmers.

Under the BRS, it used to be ₹10,000 per acre per year (for two seasons), but the Congress promised a hike of ₹5,000 over and above that ₹10,000 under what it called the Rythu Bharosa scheme.

As the payment has to be made for rabi now, it is not clear whether it would be ₹5,000 per acre or ₹7,500 per acre.

The official statement mentioned Rythu Bandhu, hence it may be surmised that only ₹5,000 is being paid per acre this time.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi slams BRS for saying Cong would end Rythu Bandhu

Other decisions

Meanwhile, the chief minister also directed the officials to prepare an action plan for a crop loan waiver of up to ₹2 lakh, which the Congress promised in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

Revanth also directed that the Praja Darbar would henceforth be called Praja Vani and held between 10 am and 1 pm twice a week — on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Separate queues should be set up for the differently-abed and women, and drinking water would be made available for people.

The chief minister also asked the officials to curb drug-peddling in the state. He wanted action taken against those who sold and consumed drugs.

Revanth said he would appoint a director exclusively for the Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau to make the department work efficiently in dealing with the menace.  He wanted the utmost priority to be accorded to curbing substance use.

He wanted the Anti-Narcotics Bureau to work with a high degree of efficiency. “Telangana should be a drugs-free state,” he said.

Stringent action against drug supply and abuse – CM Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister Sri A. Revanth Reddy has instructed the officials to crack the whip on the supply and abuse of narcotics in the state. Hon’ble CM held a review meeting on narcotics drug menace at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar…

— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) December 11, 2023