Why is it in the News?

The Election Commission recently canceled the Telangana government's approval to give money to farmers through the Rythu Bandhu Scheme.

About Rythu Bandhu Scheme:

• Rythu Bandhu Scheme, also known as the Farmer's Investment Support Scheme (FISS), was initiated by the Telangana government in 2018.
• Objectives:
• Provide timely cash grants for the initial investment needs of farmers.
• Prevent farmers from falling into the debt trap.
• Financial Assistance: Rs 5,000 per acre per farmer per season directly transferred to their accounts.
• Distribution: Biannual support for both kharif and rabi harvests.
• Usage: Farmers can use funds for purchasing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and other field operations of their choice.
• Eligibility: Open to all resident land-owning farmers, including those in forest areas with a Record of Forest Rights (ROFR).
• Special Inclusion: Farmers in forest areas, mainly from Scheduled Tribe communities, with a ROFR document, are eligible for benefits.
• It’s India's first direct farmer investment support scheme, providing cash directly to beneficiaries.