It is now becoming increasingly clear that the ruling TRS is all set to revise its prestigious Rythu Bandhu scheme. Sources said that the government is actively considering removing all those farmers who possess more than five acres from the list of beneficiaries of the scheme. Thus, at least 5.74 lakh farmers would be eliminated.
There are 64 lakh farmers in the state who are availing the benefit under the Rythu Bandhu scheme. Under this scheme, the farmers are given Rs 10000 per acre regardless of whether they cultivate or not. Now at least 5.74 lakh persons would be taken out from the scheme. Thus, 45.94 lakh acres would be removed from the scheme.
The Telangana government has been mulling this action ever since the public opinion polls showed that there is great resentment over the rich farmers getting the benefit of the Rythu Bandhu scheme. There are cases where some farmers were getting more than one lakh rupees every year, while the small and marginal farmers were getting just about Rs 5000.
Interestingly, this resentment against the Rythu Bandhu was more vocal during the recent Munugode bypolls. Several small and marginal farmers have criticised the scheme and said that they were not getting any benefit while the rich farmers were ending up with fat purses. Since then, the Government has been mulling revising the eligibility criteria for the scheme.
There are 64 lakh farmers in the state who are availing the benefit under the Rythu Bandhu scheme. Under this scheme, the farmers are given Rs 10000 per acre regardless of whether they cultivate or not. Now at least 5.74 lakh persons would be taken out from the scheme. Thus, 45.94 lakh acres would be removed from the scheme.
The Telangana government has been mulling this action ever since the public opinion polls showed that there is great resentment over the rich farmers getting the benefit of the Rythu Bandhu scheme. There are cases where some farmers were getting more than one lakh rupees every year, while the small and marginal farmers were getting just about Rs 5000.
Interestingly, this resentment against the Rythu Bandhu was more vocal during the recent Munugode bypolls. Several small and marginal farmers have criticised the scheme and said that they were not getting any benefit while the rich farmers were ending up with fat purses. Since then, the Government has been mulling revising the eligibility criteria for the scheme.