Farmers across Telangana are eagerly waiting for the Rythu Bharosa scheme. Despite tall claims and assurances from the Congress government, there has been no clear communication or progress on the agricultural investment support scheme.
The Congress party made lofty promises during the Assembly elections, stating that instead of Rythu Bandhu (Rs. 10,000 per acre), they would provide Rs. 15,000 per acre under Rythu Bharosa after coming to power. This is the second crop season since Revanth Reddy became the CM, yet there is no sign of Rythu Bharosa. In December, during the Yasangi season, the Congress government continued with the BRS government’s Rythu Bandhu, and this season, there is still no clarity.
On July 2, the government established a cabinet sub-committee tasked with gathering input from farmers and their associations to formulate policies on Rythu Bharosa. The committee, chaired by Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, along with ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and Sridhar Babu, was expected to submit a report within 15 days. And recently, Tummala hinted that the implementation of the scheme might take a little longer because the crop loan waiver process is still in progress.
However, 40 days have passed since the committee was formed, and there is still no sign of the report. Initially, the committee planned to hold nine meetings to gather opinions from farmers. So far, only four meetings have taken place, with the last one held in Warangal on July 15. Despite the start of assembly meetings on July 23, the anticipated report has not been presented, and the issue of farmers’ security has yet to be discussed in the assembly.
The government’s failure to address this issue during the 11 days of assembly meetings has sparked criticism from various quarters. Many believe that the delay in the report and the subsequent lack of discussion in the assembly indicate a deliberate postponement of Rythu Bharosa.
As half of the Vanakalam cultivation has already been completed, the delay is particularly concerning for farmers who are depending on the promised investment assistance.