Hyderabad: The Telangana Cabinet decided to release Rythu Bharosa funds for the Kharif season and launch the disbursement process from a large farmers’ gathering scheduled in Madhira, Khammam district, on June 30.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The government will organise a public meeting with farmers and begin depositing Rythu Bharosa funds into beneficiaries’ bank accounts from the event venue.
The Cabinet also took key decisions on paddy bonus payments, fertilizer allocations, Metro expansion, digital governance and student welfare.
Rythu Bharosa funds to be launched at farmers’ convention
The government decided to organise a large-scale farmers’ convention in Madhira and use the platform to formally launch the seasonal investment assistance programme. Ministers said the initiative aims to provide timely financial support to farmers ahead of agricultural operations during the monsoon season.
The Cabinet reviewed the agricultural situation and discussed measures to strengthen support systems for cultivators across the state.
Rythu Bharosa funds linked to paddy bonus policy
The Cabinet decided that the state bonus for fine paddy varieties would apply only to seven notified varieties. These include BPT-5204, RNR-15048, HMT Sona, Jai Sriram, KNM-1638, WGL-44 and KNM-7715.
The government said it selected these varieties based on market demand and consumer preferences. Officials expect the decision to encourage cultivation of premium rice varieties that generate higher returns for farmers.
The Cabinet also noted that Telangana farmers produced record paddy output this season. The state has already procured nearly 80 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, the highest-ever procurement level.
Centre urged to increase procurement and fertilizer allocation
The Cabinet expressed concern over lower procurement by the Centre compared to other states and urged the Union government to purchase the entire paddy output produced in Telangana. It also decided to align future procurement with crops covered under the Minimum Support Price system and the quotas fixed by the Centre.
Furthermore, the government sought immediate release of the fertilizer quota allocated for the Kharif season. It demanded a larger share of urea produced at the Ramagundam Fertilizer Corporation plant for Telangana farmers. The Cabinet said local allocation would reduce transportation costs and help prevent fertilizer shortages.
Cabinet opposes new rural employment scheme
The government opposed the Centre’s proposed replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme with a new programme.
To study the implications of the proposed policy, the Cabinet constituted a sub-committee headed by Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Seethakka and G. Vivek Venkatswamy.
The panel will assess the impact on labourers and the state government before submitting recommendations.
Metro expansion and Digital Cabinet initiatives approved
The Cabinet urged the Centre to grant approvals for Hyderabad Metro Phase 2 and release the IRFC loan sanctioned under existing agreements. It also appealed to Union ministers and BJP MPs from Telangana to support Metro expansion, citing Hyderabad’s growing transportation needs.
In another major decision, the government launched the Telangana Digital Cabinet initiative. IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu distributed tablets to ministers, enabling paperless Cabinet meetings.
From now on, ministers will access agendas and official notes through digital e-books instead of printed documents.
Free RTC travel for NEET candidates
The Cabinet also approved free travel in RTC buses for students appearing for the NEET examination on June 21. Officials said nearly 2.95 lakh students are expected to take the examination at around 208 centres across Telangana. Candidates can avail the free travel facility by showing their NEET hall tickets while travelling on RTC services.