HYDERABAD: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had enquired Governor ESL Narasimhan about Rythu Bandhu scheme, Telangana is likely to occupy centre stage at the NITI Aayog governing council meeting to be held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Sunday.
With agriculture and its related issues, particularly the issue of how to double the income of farmers, to figure prominently in the meeting, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has introduced a series of farmer welfare measures, is expected to explain about the farmer-friendly schemes including Rythu Bandhu at the meeting.
The State had allocated Rs 12,000 crore in its annual budget for the Rythu Bandhu scheme, aimed at providing Rs 8,000 annual financial assistance per acre to every farmer.
According to sources, the main focus of the meeting would be on how to improve the living standards of farmers. Agriculture and its related issues will figure prominently in the discussion as schemes like Fasal Bima Yojana and Krishi Sinchai are expected to be reviewed.
NITI Aayog will seek the cooperation of various States to double the income of farmers by 2022. As the Telangana government is taking several measures for doubling farmers’ income in the next two to three years, Chief Minister Rao may explain about the Rythu Bima scheme, aimed at providing `5 lakh life insurance cover to each farmer, which will be launched on August 15 benefitting 50 lakh farmers. He will also explain about 24X7 free power supply being provided to farmers.
According to sources, KCR will request Modi to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to various crops.
TS implementing e-NAM at 45 market yards
The NITI Aayog meeting will suggest to the State governments to launch e-NAM (National Agricultual Market), which will help the farmer to sell his produce anywhere in the country. Telangana is implementing e-NAM at 45 agriculture market yards.