TALL promises, little relief for farmers

The famous lines of poet Sri Sri “Mundu daga, Venuka daga, Kudiedamala daga daga roughly translated in the English Language: “Deception ahead, deception behind, deception everywhere” seems to reflect the present state of affairs under the Congress Government towards farmers.

The Congress Party romped into power with lofty promises including loan waivers, Rythu Bharosa, financial aid to agricultural labourers, support for tenant farmers, and bonus for every crop. While the government claims to be farmer-friendly and insists that farmers are happy, field-level conditions tell a different story. Behind the celebrations of farmers lie stories of distress and hardship. Despite the introduction of several schemes, lack of proper implementation and planning continues to push farmers towards distress, with suicides still being reported.

Rythu Bharosa has turned into a major disappointment. The government had promised Rs.15,000 per acre annually for farmers and tenant farmers but failed to deliver the full amount in 2024. In 2023, when the previous government under KCR attempted to release funds during the Yasangi season, the Congress reportedly complained to the Election Commission, preventing the disbursal. For a year, no support was extended for two crop seasons. Now, the government has reduced the amount to Rs.12,000 per acre and limited it only to cultivable land. Recently, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched Rythu Bharosa at Narmetta in Siddipet district.

Farmers who cultivated paddy, maize, and other crops with great difficulty are still waiting for financial assistance. The Congress had promised Rs.7,500 per acre during elections but later reduced it to Rs.6,000, making the distribution process appear inadequate. In the erstwhile Medak district, despite the Yasangi season ending, funds have not been credited. Only farmers owning up to four acres have received benefits, while others continue to wait.

During the previous BRS regime, Rythu Bandhu was implemented efficiently, providing Rs.10,000 per acre per season in advance. Farmers could purchase seeds and fertilizers on time and manage cultivation smoothly. Now, with rising input costs reaching Rs.25,000 per acre, many farmers are forced to borrow at high interest rates, pushing them into debt. The Congress had later announced an additional Rs.2,500 per acre, raising hopes to Rs.7,500, but the lack of clarity has disappointed farmers. Despite promising Rs.15,000 annually, only Rs.12,000 is being provided across two seasons.

Loan waiver turns farcical

The government’s handling of the loan waiver scheme has also drawn criticism. It had promised to waive loans up to Rs.2 lakh from December 9, 2023, but failed to fulfill it. Following opposition pressure, it pledged to complete the waiver by August 15, invoking public sentiment during parliamentary elections. However, with multiple conditions imposed, the total waiver was reduced to Rs.31,000 crore, with Rs.26,000 crore allocated in the budget. Eventually, only Rs.20,160 crore was waived, benefiting 25.35 lakh farmers, while the government claims the process is complete.

Bonus promise turns bogus

The Congress had promised bonuses over MSP for 10 crops including paddy, maize, pulses, soybean, cotton, chilli, turmeric, red gram, sugarcane, and jowar. However, the promise has not been fulfilled. Initially announced for all paddy, it was later restricted to fine varieties. Out of 156 lakh tonnes of paddy produced last Kharif season, only 50 lakh tonnes were procured, meaning just about 30% was purchased while claiming full implementation.

No relief for farm labourers

The promise of Rs.12,000 annual assistance to agricultural labourers remains unfulfilled. The government has not even conducted a proper assessment of eligible beneficiaries. Despite being a key part of the six guarantees, there is no clarity or action, raising doubts about intent.

Six guarantees still pending

The Congress had promised to implement six guarantees within 100 days, but even after two years, none have been fully executed. Indiramma housing, land for activists, Rs.2,500 assistance for women, Rs.4,000 pensions, gold under Kalyana Lakshmi, two lakh jobs, unemployment allowance, pensions for martyrs’ families, PRC and DA for employees, benefits for retired staff, and salary hikes for Anganwadi, ASHA, and SSA workers remain largely unaddressed.

New Indiramma life insurance scheme

The government has now announced a new ‘Indiramma Family Life Insurance’ scheme aimed at providing financial security. To be launched on June 2, Telangana Formation Day, the scheme has been allocated Rs.4,000 crore. It proposes Rs.5 lakh insurance coverage for families in case of the death of the head of the household. Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka stated that 1.15 crore families will be covered, likely limited to ration card holders, excluding income tax payers and government employees.

Concerns over Rythu Bhima

The announcement has raised concerns over the future of the existing Rythu Bhima scheme. Currently, over 65 lakh farmers receive benefits under Rythu Bharosa, with 42 lakh covered under Rythu Bhima. The scheme provides Rs.5 lakh compensation upon a farmer’s death. While Rs.1,167 crore was allocated last year, no funds have been earmarked this time, raising fears of its discontinuation. Questions also arise about eligibility if multiple farmers exist within a family. Overall, farmers continue to face mounting hardships, with many saying their lives are marked by uncertainty and lack of assurance.

Rs 9,000 cr Rythu Bharosa aid in 45 days: Revanth

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday announced that Rs. 9,000 crore under the Rythu Bharosa scheme will be deposited into farmers’ bank accounts in three instalments over 45 days. He released the first instalment during the inauguration of an oil palm factory at Narmetta in Siddipet district. Speaking at a Farmers Festival, he said the present government is spending Rs. 5,500 crore per month on farmer welfare, compared to Rs. 2,533 crore under the previous regime. Revanth Reddy said over Rs. 1 lakh crore has been spent on farmers in two years, including compensation for crop losses. He stressed the need for crop diversification, noting that while Telangana has become a leading paddy producer, procurement challenges persist as the Centre limits purchases.

Farmers Speak Out

“Due to the newly introduced urea app, farmers are facing severe difficulties. Many do not know how to book urea and are forced to depend on others, who charge extra per bag. Fertilizer is not reaching us on time, affecting crop yield and causing losses. The government says it is doing everything, but farmers are not getting justice.”

— Bongu Venkatesh, Farmer, Thallasinagaram, Choutuppal

“Procurement centres should be set up on time when crops are ready. Payments must be credited immediately as promised. Last season, delays in bonus payments forced farmers to wait for months. This time, the government should ensure timely procurement and payments.”

— Daluvai Sadananda Rao, Farmer, Thimmapuram, Jajireddygudem Mandal

“Due to heavy rains, our fields were submerged by backwaters from the Nizamsagar project. The government promised compensation, but we have not received even a single rupee. Rythu Bharosa has not come, loan waivers have not reached many, and new pensions are still pending.”

— Durgayya, Farmer, Chinnoor, Kamareddy District