Telangana: Pending Rythu Bharosa assistance worries Rabi farmers

Over 14 lakh farmers await the crop investment assistance as harvesting season commences

Hyderabad: The government is yet to disburse pending Rythu Bharosa assistance to nearly 1.4 million farmers and the outstanding amount is expected to be over Rs 4,500 crore.

The farmers who pinned their hopes on the enhanced crop investment assistance under Rythu Bharosa were assured that 90 per cent of them would be paid by March 31. But the process remains incomplete. Weekly disbursements under the programme are in the order of Rs 400 crore. At this pace, it could take two more months to conclude.

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Farmers are worried about the fate of the next tranche of crop investment support. Will it be in time for the upcoming season – is the question that haunts many.

In districts such as Kamareddy and Nalgonda, Rabi harvests are underway. Many farmers, uncertain of getting their Rythu Bharosa assistance on time, are turning to private lenders to fund crop investments.

The government claims to have deposited Rs 5,057 crore into farmers’ accounts so far, covering approximately 84.28 lakh acres. The disbursement process has been gradual, hindered by treasury constraints. While Rythu Bharosa initiative was aimed at supporting farmers with Rs 6,000 per acre per crop season, many farmers complain that they have received only part of what they are entitled to.