HYDERABAD: Extensive misuse of the Rythu Bandhu assistance of Rs 10,000 per year per acre during the BRS regime has come to light in districts surrounding Hyderabad, during joint surveys being held to identify and exclude non-agricultural land parcels from the Rythu Bharosa scheme that will be launched on January 26
The report of the joint survey, being conducted by the revenue, agriculture, and panchayat raj departments, scheduled to be submitted to the government on Friday, official sources said.
The surveys, ordered by the state government from January 16 to 24, was aimed at excluding ineligible land from Rythu Bharosa, which offers Rs 12,000 per acre annually in two installments.
The scheme now apply only to cultivable land, to curb the misuse of the state’s funds. The revised list of eligible land holdings will be displayed in gram sabhas on January 25.
In Rangareddy district, surveys revealed that Rythu Bandhu benefits were extended to land used for resorts, petrol pumps, real estate layouts, and villas. Despite their conversion, these land holdings remained classified as agricultural in the erstwhile Dharani portal.
Officials found that out of the 6.85 lakh acres receiving Rythu Bandhu, 52,000 acres were ineligible under the new guidelines, resulting in a loss of `312 crore over six years. The surveys in 26 mandals revealed that 90 per cent of beneficiaries in 10 mandals were not eligible for Rythu Bharosa.
In Sangareddy district, officials surveyed 7.68 lakh acres and found 15,220 acres of ineligible land. Sangareddy revenue division alone accounted for 9,867 acres of non-agricultural land, with Patancheru and Kandi mandals reporting the highest conversions due to their proximity to the GHMC limits.
Land was found to be used for real estate ventures, industrial purposes, and stone crushers.
In Nalgonda district, surveys covered 8 lakh acres across 564 villages, identifying 12,040 acres of non-agricultural land. Mandals like Marriguda (1,330 acres), Chityal (984 acres), and Miryalaguda (710 acres) had significant land conversions.
The Congress government has taken a strong stance to ensure only genuine farmers benefit from the Rythu Bharosa scheme. By tightening eligibility and conducting detailed surveys, it aims to prevent the waste of public funds, which was rampant during the BRS government’s Rythu Bandhu scheme.
