Harish warns State against restricting Rythu Bharosa scheme
The Hindu
Former Minister T. Harish Rao accuses Congress government of betraying farmers, warns against restrictions on Rythu Bharosa scheme.
Former Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA T. Harish Rao has accused the State government led by Congress of failing to honour its promises to farmers, calling it a betrayal of over 80 lakh farmers. He warned the Congress government against placing restrictions on the Rythu Bharosa scheme.
Addressing a press conference at the Sangareddy MLA camp office on Wednesday, he alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has backtracked on election promise of providing financial assistance for three crops a year. “When in opposition, Mr. Revanth spoke with conviction about supporting farmers, but now his government is cutting financial assistance under Rythu Bharosa scheme,” he said.
The BRS senior leader criticised the government for asking farmers to submit fresh applications for Rythu Bharosa assistance despite having existing records. “This process humiliates farmers and treats them like criminals. Farmers are forced to run around Congress leaders’ houses for approvals,” he alleged.
Highlighting the plight of farmers, Mr. Rao said half of the farmers in Telangana are yet to receive the promised crop loan waiver. “Farmers with loans exceeding ₹2 lakh are left in a limbo. Those with smaller debts have only partially benefited. The Congress government must clarify when these loans will be fully waived,” he demanded.
The former minister also criticised the Congress’ reported plans to restrict Rythu Bharosa to specific crops, excluding orchard, oil palm, and sugarcane farmers. He accused the government of neglecting Dalit and tribal farmers cultivating Podu lands. “The Congress party must stop making farmers beg for their rights,” he stated.
Raising concerns over the delay in employment guarantee payments, Mr. Harish Rao alleged that ₹850 crore received from the Central government for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in May was diverted. “The Congress government has failed to pay job card holders even after seven months. If these funds are not disbursed within three months, they must be returned to the Centre with interest,” he warned.
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