Decode Politics: Why Rythu Bandhu has become poll flashpoint

What is Rythu Bandhu

One of the flagship programmes of the K Chandrashekar government, the scheme was launched in 2018 and promised Rs 4,000 per acre to around 58 lakh farmers twice a year for the two sowing seasons – kharif and rabi. In 2015, the state government allocated Rs 12,000 crore for the scheme in its budget. The amount was raised to Rs 5,000 per acre in 2019-2020 fiscal. In the 2023 budget, the state government earmarked Rs 15,075 crore for the scheme.

While the number of beneficiaries of the scheme stood at 58 lakh in 2018, it has grown to 70 lakh as of July 2023.

Announcing the scheme, the Telangana CM also urged people to give up the benefits associated with the scheme if they could, and did the same himself, to set an example.

What are some problems linked to the scheme

Firstly, the exclusion of tenant farmers. Moreover, the lack of a cap on the number of acres owned has also been met with criticism, with the rich – politicians, high-ranking government officials and others who own large swathes of agricultural lands – and others also reaping the benefits. In fact, since the disbursement is per acre, big farmers end up getting more money, a problem that the BRS has acknowledged and promised to fix.

What could be political ramifications of EC order

KCR and his government have been harping on the “success” of the scheme in the run-up to the elections, saying it has changed the lives of farmers.

Telangana has around 1.43 crore acres of farmlands. Farmers or people associated with the agriculture sector form a significant chunk of Telangana’s population (around 55%) and the farming community’s backing is a key factor in who will form the government.

Earlier, both the Congress and BJP have alleged misappropriation of funds with regard to the scheme by BRS leaders.

How did the matter reach EC

The Congress had protested against EC nod to disbursement under the scheme, saying this would be an advantage to the ruling party. On OCtober 25, a delegation led by former Telangana Congress chief N Uttam Kumar had urged the poll panel to halt the disbursement of the second instalment in November, claiming that it would influence voters.

Incidentally, even while slamming the implementation of the scheme, Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy has promised to increase the amount given to farmers by Rs 5,000 per acre if his party is voted to power.

Reacting to the EC’s order, Congress MP and communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh took to X to reiterate his party’s Rythu Bharosa scheme. The party has promised Rs 15,000 per acre to farmers, including tenant farmers, and also Rs 12,000 per annum to agricultural workers.

What led to EC new order

In a November 25 order, the EC had allowed the BRS government to continue disbursement of funds under the scheme, under the condition that it would not use the scheme in political discourse while campaigning, no beneficiaries would be added and that no hike in the amount of financial assistance would be promised while the Model Code of Conduct was in force.

However, on Saturday, Telangana Finance Minister Harish Rao, addressing a public meeting in Palakurthi, said: “The Congress is promising to give Rs 15,000 per acre. We are already giving Rs 10,000 per acre and will increase it to Rs 16,000 per acre if we come to power. The disbursement will be made on Monday (November 27). Even before farmers have tea and breakfast, the amount will be in their account.”

In its order halting the disbursement, the EC said: “The Commission has observed that Rao, who is also a candidate sponsored by the BRS Party from Siddipet… a star campaigner of the party and also the Finance Minister of Telangana, has not only violated the provisions of MCC but also conditions laid down as above by publicising the release under the scheme, and thereby disturbed the level playing field in the on-going election process.

The poll panel directed the Telangana government to file a compliance report before 3pm on Monday.

How has BRS reacted

The BRS wrote to the EC urging it to reconsider its decision, keeping the interest of farmers in mind. “The scheme (Rythu Bandhu) has been ongoing for the past five-and-a-half years. As the rabi season has been advanced, the government proposed to disburse assistance under the scheme from November 24. The same was communicated to you following which permission was granted on November 25,” the letter stated, adding that the EC stricture accusing Harish Rao of violating the MCC was “wrongly placed”.

KCR reiterated his party’s stance and said Rythu Bandhu is not a new scheme and disbursement of financial assistance under it will continue after the BRS returns to power after the elections.

KCR’s daughter and BRS MLC K Kavitha said the EC’s order exposed the “dirty politics” of the Congress.