Model farmers to be shown doors

Hyderabad: Nearly 18,000 model farmers (Adharsha Rythulu) will be left out in the cold by Telangana government soon.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to abolish this system introduced by the YSR government in 2007.

There  have been  allegations of large scale irregularities in selection of model farmers. It is alleged to have  benefited Congress workers and those without any knowledge of farming. Model farmers were supposed to assist farmers in farming and securing crop loans from the government.  To pay a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 to  them, the government has been spending nearly Rs 50 crore every year.  

Mr Rao is learnt to have had a meeting with few ministers and officials at his camp office on Sunday to discuss the issue. Mr Rao is said to be of the opinion  that there was no need to continue with the model farmers system in TS as it was intended to  benefit Congress workers. An order will be issued soon, said an official.