Rythu Bandhu helping small farmers: Niranjan Reddy

HYDERABAD: Telangana Minister for Agriculture Singireddy Niranjan Reddy has denied the rumours that 'Rythu Bandhu' funds were being distributed to farmers with more land' and clarified that the funds were distributed equally among all farmers.

The distribution of the 9th phase of Rythu Bandhu with Rs. 7,508 crore began on Tuesday. More than 16 lakh farmers,who had two acres of land, had been credited with Rythu Bandhu incentives. And a total of 36.41 lakh acres were given assistance, Niranjan Reddy said.

He clarified that the beneficiaries with five acres of land constituted 92.50 percent and opined that only Rs. 250 crore was spent for those with more than 10 acres. Niranjan Reddy said that the government was providing Rythu Bandhu to 68.10 lakh farmers during the monsoon season this year.

Niranjan Reddy alleged that Prime Minister Modi had failed to keep his promise of doubling the income of farmers and providing pensions to farmers over 60 years of age. He demanded that the Centre take a decision on Minimum Support Prices(MSP) to be provided to farmers.