Tue Mar 11 05:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Telangana’s Rythu Bharosa Funds Misappropriated, Farmers Allege

**Hyderabad, March 10:** Allegations of misappropriation of Rythu Bharosa funds, a flagship farmer welfare scheme in Telangana, have surfaced. The state government, while claiming to have released ₹3,511 crore in three installments, is accused of diverting a significant portion to settle contractor dues instead of directly benefiting farmers.

Reports suggest that up to 20% commission was charged for clearing pending contractor bills, with the majority of the funds allegedly ending up in the hands of large contractors. While the government claims to have covered farmers with up to three acres of land, bank reports indicate that only 55% of eligible farmers have received the promised funds. The remaining 45%, representing a substantial amount, are yet to receive their payments. This amounts to an estimated ₹1,700 crore allegedly diverted.

The government had planned to disburse ₹9,000 crore for the Yasangi (rabi) season, covering 1.49 crore acres at ₹6,000 per acre. To raise funds, the government reportedly mortgaged 400 acres of TGIDC land, securing ₹10,000 crore. However, instead of a one-time release, the funds were disbursed in installments, raising concerns about the delayed payments.

Further allegations involve the misappropriation of funds even within the amounts released to farmers. The initial pilot program, covering 4.42 lakh farmers across 577 villages, showed similar discrepancies. Although the government announced the release of ₹3,511.82 crore, bank officials confirm that only ₹1,800 crore reached farmers’ accounts.

The situation is further complicated by the earlier case of ₹7,000 crore allocated for Rythu Bandhu, which was withheld due to election commission restrictions. This amount was allegedly diverted to an agency connected to a Congress MLA and minister, after the Congress party assumed power.

The current government’s promise of ₹7,500 per acre per season has been reduced to ₹6,000, and even this reduced amount has not been fully disbursed. Additionally, a flawed survey has resulted in the blacklisting of three lakh acres of land, further hindering the effective disbursement of Rythu Bharosa funds to affected farmers. The opposition is demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged misuse of funds and a speedy resolution to the farmers’ grievances.

Read More