Farmers in Telangana are experiencing a double jeopardy in the Congress rule. With the monsoon season nearing its end, farmers are still waiting for the promised investment assistance under Rythu Bharosa. Also, the much-anticipated crop loan waiver, which was expected to benefit all farmers, has only reached a select few.
Since the Congress party came to power in the state, there has been widespread discontent among farmers, who feel that there is a significant gap between the promises made by the party and the actions taken. None of the proposed schemes have been fully implemented, and even existing programs are facing cuts. A major point of concern is the delay in the distribution of Rythu Bharosa (Rythu Bandhu), which is supposed to provide investment assistance for farmers.
Last year, the previous BRS government began distributing Rythu Bandhu on June 26 and ensured that all eligible farmers received the assistance. This timely support helped farmers avoid financial difficulties. In contrast, the current Congress government has yet to provide clarity on when or even if the farmers will receive their due assistance, leading to widespread doubt and frustration.
Speculation is rife that the government may be using the loan waiver as an excuse to withhold Rythu Bharosa funds. This has led to suspicions that the government is trying to avoid providing further financial support under the guise of the loan waiver. As a result, many farmers are being forced to take out new loans, often resorting to moneylenders, to secure the necessary funds for their crops.
Further concerns have been raised about potential cuts to the Rythu Bandhu scheme, with the government seemingly looking to reduce the number of eligible farmers under various regulations. A sub-committee of four ministers was formed to review and potentially reduce the number of beneficiaries, but despite being established two months ago, the committee has yet to deliver its report.
Even the much-publicized loan waiver is proving to be inadequate. Of the 70 lakh farmers in the state, only 22 lakh have received the waiver so far, leaving nearly 50 lakh farmers without the promised relief. Furthermore, while the government initially pledged to waive Rs. 31,000 crores in loans, only Rs. 18,000 crores have been waived to date. The delay and partial implementation have left farmers frustrated, as they are forced to chase after banks and officials for relief.
The lack of rainfall this season has only exacerbated the situation. Farmers are not only dealing with the inconsistent support from the government but are also struggling with lower-than-expected rainfall. Cultivation has decreased by 8 lakh acres compared to last year, with only 1.01 crore acres under cultivation this year compared to 1.09 crore acres at the same time last year.
There are also allegations that the Congress government is making cuts across various agricultural schemes. During the election campaign, the party promised to provide both loan waivers and Rythu Bandhu to all farmers, but now many are expressing anger as they see cuts being made.
The delay in distributing Rythu Bandhu has led to suspicions that the funds meant for the scheme may have been diverted for the loan waiver. The Congress government needs approximately Rs. 12,000 crores to provide Rs. 7,500 per acre under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, but these funds have been withheld. This has led to speculation that the government may have used these funds for the loan waiver.