INDIRANAGAR: In yet another calculated move aimed at giving a decisive edge to the ruling TRS, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced that his government would introduce welfare measures tailored for poor people belonging to forward castes. Poll pundits see this as an effort by KCR to woo the only remaining section of population to TRS ahead of the elections, after having spent the last four years in the government doling out welfare schemes for other sections like SCs, STs, BCs, minorities, women and farmers.
After launching the input subsidy scheme for farmers at a massive public meeting here on Thursday, Rao said there were several poor people even in OCs who were living in deplorable conditions. “Therefore, the government had decided to introduce specific welfare measures for their benefit. After discussing with finance minister E Rajender, I will announce the schemes soon,” he said.
Later, formally launching the Rythu Bandhu scheme, KCR distributed cheques and new land pattadar passbooks with enhanced security features to farmers of Dharmarajpalli. After the launch by the CM, ministers took up distribution of cheques and passbooks to farmers in all the districts.
“The fledgeling state of Telangana has become a role model for the entire country in terms of welfare activities and developmental works. No other state is implementing such unique measures for people’s well-being. On every count, whether it is Aasara pension, financial assistance to every lonely woman, Rs 5 lakh life insurance to each farmer or providing high salaries to employees, Telangana is No.1,” he reiterated.
What’s the scheme about?
The Rythu Bandhu scheme will provide an annual input subsidy of Rs 8,000 per crop per acre to every farmer in the State. This, the govt claims, will empower the farmers by making them less dependant on bank loans and money lenders.