The BJP government at the Centre is creating hurdles for the state government and farmers. It is now targeting the farmers of Telangana state demanding them to pay Rs. 151 crore, its share in the construction of yards to dry their agricultural produce from MNREGS funds.
In June 2020, the centre has agreed to dovetail the MNREGS with the farming operations as urged by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. It was decided to offer free funding for the farmers belonging to the SC community and collect 10 per cent of the cost from farmers of the BC community. It was estimated that a cement concrete yard in 50 square yards would cost Rs. 56,000; 60 square yards of the yard would cost Rs. 68,000 and 68 square yards cost Rs. 75,000.
Accordingly, the farmers in Karimnagar district constructed 366 CC yards in their fields, 363 farmers in Peddapally and 284 in Jagitial. A total of 2,224 farmers in Warangal utilised the scheme. A total of Rs 18.8 crore was released towards the bills of farmers. Several thousands of farmers are constructing yards in their fields across the state.
Now suddenly the Centre stopped the release of MNREGS funds for the construction of yards and instead asked the state government to pay back Rs. 151 crores spent from the scheme. The farmers in Telangana state are in shock at the sudden stoppage of funding and are cursing Modi for leaving them in a lurch.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao