Hyderabad: The transfer of Rythu Bandhu money directly into the bank accounts of farmers has created fresh problems for both farmers and the government.
Under Rythu Bandhu, nearly 58 lakh farmers are eligible to receive Rs 8,000 per acre — Rs 4,000 to be disbursed in the kharif season and the other Rs 4,000 in the rabi season.
Finance minister Etela Rajender and agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy also held a series of meetings with bankers in this regard. Because of close monitoring by the CM, the banks disbursed the amount promptly.
However, with the dissolution of the Assembly and a caretaker government in place, the CM and his ministers have no punitive powers and it is left to bureaucrats to manage such issues. It remains to be seen whether the banks comply with the instructions issued by bureaucrats.
Agriculture secretary C. Parthasarathy said, “We will not allow bankers to adjust Rythu Bandhu amounts towards loan arrears. Strict instructions will be issued to all the bankers in this regard. We will launch a toll-free number to enable farmers to lodge complaints if any bank denies the benefit under the pretext of loan arrears.”
Meanwhile, the agriculture department has been gathering the bank account details of all the 58 lakh farmers so as to credit the amount in their accounts after Dasara.
