Hyderabad: Guidelines for Crop Loan Waiver Implementation to be Released Soon
Hyderabad: The State government will release guidelines for the implementation of the crop loan waiver for farmers within four days, announced Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He specified that passbooks, not ration cards, will be used to identify beneficiaries.
In a press briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Chief Minister Reddy stated that the State budget would be introduced two days after the Union budget is tabled in Parliament. He has instructed officials to prepare budget estimates based on the actual financial situation, contrasting with the “illusionary” budget estimates of the previous BRS regime.
Chief Minister Reddy noted that his team of ministers has already met with Union ministers to secure the release of pending funds for the State. He emphasized that the State’s financial needs have been communicated to the Centre to ensure maximum funding in the upcoming Union budget.
The Chief Minister highlighted that priority will be given to schemes with significant financial implications for the State, such as the crop loan waiver. This will be followed by Rythu Bharosa, crop insurance, and other welfare schemes. He argued that labeling welfare schemes as “freebies” is inappropriate, as these initiatives are intended to benefit the poor, not the wealthy.
Chief Minister Reddy questioned the criticism of welfare schemes for farmers, women, and the poor, citing the Modi government’s waiver of Rs 16 lakh crore debts for corporate companies without similar scrutiny.
Discussing the State’s debt situation, he revealed that the current administration is servicing Rs 7,000 crore in monthly interest payments on the Rs 7 lakh crore debt accumulated during the BRS government’s tenure. He mentioned ongoing negotiations with the Centre to reduce interest rates, noting that loans during the BRS regime were secured at 7 to 10 percent interest rates.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to undertake a BC census after the term of the current BC Commission ends in August and a new commission is constituted. Additionally, a commission for new mandals and revenue divisions will be established soon.
Regarding the financial condition of TGSRTC, Chief Minister Reddy stated that the introduction of free bus travel for women has increased bus occupancy from 30 to 80 percent. The State government is providing Rs 350 crore monthly to the corporation, reducing its operational costs and steering it towards profitability.
When asked about potential candidates for the cabinet expansion and the new TPCC president, Chief Minister Reddy said that the party high command is in the process of making these decisions. He clarified that only those elected on Congress B-forms in the assembly elections will be considered for ministerial positions in the cabinet expansion. He emphasized that social justice will be prioritized in the cabinet expansion process.
Regarding the possibility of a woman being appointed as the new TPCC president, Chief Minister Reddy said it would be a positive development.
In response to questions about Congress encouraging defections from other parties, Chief Minister Reddy pointed out that similar practices have occurred in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh by the BJP. He also referenced the defection of four Rajya Sabha MPs from TDP to BJP during the previous NDA government.
