Rythu Bandhu amount released for Vaanakalam: K T Rama Rao

Rajanna-Sircilla: IT and Municipal Administration Minister, KT Rama Rao has informed that the Rs 7,000 crore Rythu Bandhu amount for Vaanakalam(Kharif) season was already deposited with agriculture department.

Despite financial troubles due to coronavirus lockdown, Rythu Bandhu money of farmers was handed over to agriculture department, the Minister said while addressing the farmers after laying foundation stones for Rythu Vedika Bhavans in Gollapally, Yellareddypet mandal and Racharla Boppapur of Mustabad mandal on Tuesday.

“Telangana is the only state in the world, which is providing financial assitance under the Rythu Bandhu scheme to farmers by spending Rs 14,000 crore. Talking about regulated farming, Rama Rao made it clear that there was no question of denying Rythu Bandhu to any farmer. Instead of sowing crops with less demand, cultivation of profitable crops was the main concept of the Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. The cultivation area has been enhanced on a large scale with the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. There was a possibility to enhance yield with Sitarama, Palamuru-Rangareddy irrigation projects,” he said.

Minister asserted that, “farmers would not get much benefits if all of them cultivate similar crops. So, it was necessary to cultivate more profitable crops by shifting cropping pattern. A lot of changes have been taken place in agriculture before and after formation of Telangana state. Besides 24 hours current supply, irrigable water, fertiliser, seeds and other facilities have also been



provided to farmers. Telangana government waived up to Rs 1 lakh loan amount of farmers. Informing that loan of 5.5 lakh farmers was also waived this year, remaining farmers would also get the benefit.”

Talking about Rythu Vedika Bhavans, Rama Rao informed that there were 2,600 clusters in the state and Rythu vedikas would be constructed in every cluster. Besides computers, modern equipment would also be provided in vedika bhavans to educate farmers about modern farming techniques. Talking about the district, Rama Rao informed that last year, different crops were cultivated in 2.31 lakh acres. In addition to that 19,000 acres is going to be cultivated in Kharif season. It was only because of water stored in Mid Manair reservoir.

The Minister assured to provide water to 2.5 lakh acres by completing all works in the coming three to four months period. Siricilla would become a Konaseema if all works were completed. Rama Rao emphasised the need to construct small canals in villages to supply water agricultural fields. “A few farmers might have lost their lands but majority of farmers would get benefit with digging of canals,” he said.

Thanking philanthropists for coming forward for construction of Rythu Vedikas, minister assured to construct building in six mandals on his own expenditure. In this regard, he handed over the letter to district collector D Krishna Bhaskar. Agriculture Minister Niranjan Reddy, TS Planning Board Vice-Chairman and others participated in the meeting.