Boost For BRS Govt As Rythu Bandhu Scheme Gets Green Light From EC

In a major boost to the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana, the Election Commission of India on Friday granted approval for the distribution of Rythu Bandhu funds to farmers, The Times Of India reported.

In compliance with the directives from the ECI, the Telangana government will commence the disbursement of the Rythu Bandhu Subsidy funds starting from Friday.

Telangana has a cultivable expanse of 1.47 crore acres, and an allocation of Rs 16,000 crore will be distributed under the scheme directly to the accounts of farmers.

This move is expected to benefit approximately 60 lakh families just days before the polling day and it is perceived as a strategic maneuver by political analysts.

Talking to The Times Of India, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj told said: "Telangana government has requested the permission of ECI for the disbursement of Rythu Bandhu money from November 24. We have received a communication on Friday from ECI accepting the government's proposal."

Earlier, the Congress had approached the EC, seeking its directions to prevent the state from disbursing the funds as it amounts to influencing voters.

Under the scheme, farmers will receive direct investment support of Rs. 5,000 per acre each season for both Kharif and Rabi, totalling Rs. 10,000 annually per acre. The Telangana government has already disbursed Rs. 70,000 crore over eleven cropping seasons, benefiting a total of 60 lakh farmers.