The Telangana government has initiated modifications to the Rythubandhu scheme, a crucial agricultural support program. The decision involves imposing restrictions on aid distribution, marking a significant shift from the previous unrestricted disbursements.
Guidelines for Applicability
New guidelines are under preparation to determine the eligibility criteria for the scheme. Notably, around 90 percent of the state’s farmers own less than five acres of land, totaling approximately 22.55 lakh farmers.
Re-review of the Scheme
The government is currently re-evaluating the Rythu Bandhu scheme, which previously had no restrictions until the Yasangi season. Going forward, starting from the Kharif season, the plan is to distribute cash under the name Rythu Bharosa, limiting it to 10 acres per farmer.
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Limitations and Proposals
While the proposed limit will not reduce the number of beneficiaries, farmers owning land from 10 to 54 acres may face constraints. The financial implications involve a reduction from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 7,500 per acre per crop, resulting in Rs. 15,000 per year.
Implementation and Financial Impact
The implementation of the revised Rythu Bharosa for 1.49 crore acres is estimated to cost Rs. 22,350 crores. This represents a substantial increase from the current annual expenditure of Rs. 15,000 crores, potentially adding a burden of Rs. 7,350 crores.
Historical Context
The Rythu Bandhu scheme, launched in 2018 by the KCR government, initially provided Rs. 8,000 per acre, later increased to Rs. 10,000 per acre annually. Unlike the present decision, the scheme had no cutoff during its earlier phases.