HYDERABAD: The State Government has given loans to the tune of ₹15 crore to 1,024 farmers under Rythu Bandhu scheme up to December this financial year.
Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao who replied to a query in the Legislative Council on behalf of the Agriculture Minister on Wednesday said the quantum of loans to farmers under the scheme was on the rise since the formation of Telangana State. This was evident from the fact that ₹10.24 crore had been given to 857 farmers in 2014-15 and ₹11 crore to 954 farmers during the year 2015-16.
The Government has enhanced the loan amount to ₹2 lakh against ₹1 lakh as part of Rythu Bandhu. A maximum amount of ₹2 lakh or 75 per cent of the pledged stock whichever was less was being sanctioned as loan without mortgage of land. The loans were being sanctioned without interest for 180 days to prevent farmers from resorting to distress sale.
Prevent distress sale
The measure was initiated as farmers were resorting to distress sale when the prices were low. “Middlemen were hitherto selling grain at higher prices after obtaining it at a lower price from farmers. We have taken steps in the form of grant of loans without interest for six months to prevent distress sale by farmers,” he said.
Congress member Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy lamented that sowing in rabi had come down significantly because of demonetisation. announced by the Centre. The Government should come to the rescue of farmers by extending interest free loans and this would also enable the Government achieve the targets set for rabi cultivation during the current year which witnessed good rainfall.
TRS member Palla Rajeshwar Reddy urged the Government to launch a campaign about rythu bandhu scheme as many farmers were still not availing the facility provided by the Government. Mr. Harish Rao said the Government had taken up construction of godowns was taken up for storing agricultural produce so that farmers could avail the benefits under the Rythu Bandhu scheme.
