Harish Rao accuses Congress govt of plotting to scrap crop bonus

BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of conspiring to phase out the crop bonus scheme by limiting it to just seven paddy varieties, despite promising Rs 500 bonus for all varieties in its manifesto.

Hyderabad: BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of conspiring to phase out the crop bonus scheme by restricting it to a handful of paddy varieties. He criticised the government for failing to clarify on key farmer-centric schemes such as Rythu Bharosa, crop bonus, Rythu Bima and crop insurance, even as the crop season commenced.

Reacting to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s review meeting on Vaanakalam (Kharif) preparedness on Tuesday, he termed the exercise a token review. He said the Congress manifesto promised a Rs 500 bonus for all paddy varieties, which was restricted to 33 fine-grain varieties after the Congress came to power.

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“Now, this has been reduced to just seven varieties which is unfair. Farmers should not be forced to cultivate only government-approved varieties. What about the fate of farmers who already commenced cultivation,” he asked.

Demanding that the decision be withdrawn immediately, the BRSLP floor leader asked the government to extend the bonus to all varieties as promised and release pending bonus payments for both the previous and current Yasangi seasons without delay.

Harish Rao also accused the government of failing to provide Rythu Bharosa support for three consecutive seasons and questioned the delay in payments despite assurances made by the Chief Minister. He pointed out that Rythu Bima premiums had not been paid for the past five months, weakening the social security cover available to farming families.

Raising concerns about the government insisting on crop diversification, he sought clarity on whether the government was willing to guarantee procurement and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops such as maize, sorghum, sunflower, soybean and groundnut. He also ridiculed the government deciding to supply fertilisers and seeds through Rythu Vedikas, calling it an acknowledgment of the government’s failure to supply them through Fertiliser App.

The former Minister criticised the government for not implementing the promised crop insurance scheme and for failing to provide input subsidies and compensation to farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorms. He emphasised the need for crop insurance amid uncertainty prevailing over the impact of El Nino during the ongoing crop season.