NFBS funds unutilised as three Telangana districts lag in disbursals

Despite adequate central allocation, NFBS benefits remain largely unutilised in Sangareddy, Medak and Siddipet due to low awareness and poor outreach. While Yadadri-Bhongir crossed 1,700 beneficiaries, the three districts together supported fewer than 100 families, prompting calls for urgent corrective measures.

Sangareddy: Any financial support at the time of the demise of a family’s main breadwinner is of great help to the bereaved. Although there are substantial funds under the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) in the State, most remain underutilised due to lack of awareness among eligible people and inadequate efforts by officials to inform them. Sangareddy, Medak and Siddipet districts have been among the least performing in disbursing NFBS benefits and creating awareness. Each eligible family is entitled to receive Rs.20,000 under the scheme.

The Centre allocates funds every year for 7,794 beneficiaries in Telangana, yet the majority remains untouched. Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV), which has been working on farmer suicides, along with other social organisations, has consistently been creating awareness among the eligible families.

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Representatives of RSV have also been visiting district collectors, revenue divisional officers and tehsildars across the State, urging timely disbursal of applications and stronger awareness campaigns. Due to such efforts, Yadadri-Bhongir Collector M Hanumantha Rao and officials took special measures this year, enabling the district to extend benefits to 1,711 families.

By contrast, Sangareddy, Medak and Siddipet districts together could extend support to fewer than 100 people this year, highlighting the need for immediate attention. Sangareddy officials could provide benefits to only 10 families while Medak managed 18. Siddipet fared slightly better with 81 beneficiaries.

Speaking to Telangana Today, B Kondal Reddy of RSV said that a large number of eligible applications in Zaheerabad were still pending. He urged Sangareddy Collector P Pravinya, Medak Collector Rahul Raj and Siddipet Collector K Hymavathi to take special measures to ensure benefits reach more families. He added that officials were insisting applicants register through MeeSeva, although such a requirement does not exist for availing the scheme. He appealed for immediate disbursal of benefits to the needy, taking the Yadadri-Bhongir model as an example.