Chandrababu Naidu, notorious for unfulfilled pledges, has once again deceived Andhra Pradesh farmers under the Annadata Sukheebhava scheme. He promised Rs. 20,000 annually per farmer, excluding the central government’s Rs. 6,000 PM Kisan aid, totaling Rs. 40,000 over two years. Instead, only Rs. 5,000 has been disbursed, with Rs. 10,716 crore defaulted in the first year. The YSR Rythu Bharosa scheme, successfully implemented by the previous government, was abruptly halted, leaving farmers cheated.
Slashing beneficiaries
The Chandrababu government reduced beneficiaries from 53.58 lakh under the YSRCP regime to 46.85 lakh, excluding over 7 lakh farmers from the scheme. This drastic cut, coupled with inadequate funding, underscores the administration’s disregard for farmers’ welfare.
Chandrababu’s deception unveiled
- Election Promise: Rs. 20,000 annually per farmer, excluding PM Kisan
- Due Over Two Years: Rs. 40,000
- Actual Disbursement: Rs. 5,000 per farmer
- Defaulted Amount: Rs. 10,716 crore
- Intended Beneficiaries: 53.58 lakh
- Actual Beneficiaries: 46.85 lakh
- Farmers Excluded: Over 7 lakh
YSRCP’s commitment fulfilled
Under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the YSR Rythu Bharosa scheme delivered beyond its promise. Committing Rs. 12,500 annually for four years (Rs. 50,000 total), the YSRCP government provided Rs. 13,500 yearly for five years, totaling Rs. 67,500 per farmer. Over 53.58 lakh farmers received Rs. 34,288.17 crore, ensuring robust support.
Fund releases under YSRCP
- 15.10.2019: Launched in Nellore, Rs. 3,785 crore credited to 40 lakh farmers. Total first-year disbursal: Rs. 6,534 crore to 46.69 lakh farmers.
- 15.05.2020: Rs. 3,675 crore released as the second year’s first installment.
- 27.10.2020: Rs. 1,115 crore credited to 50.47 lakh farmers.
- 29.12.2020: Rs. 1,120 crore disbursed, plus Rs. 646 crore as Nivar cyclone relief.
- 13.05.2021: Rs. 3,928.88 crore released to 52.38 lakh farmers.
- 26.10.2021: Rs. 2,052 crore credited, with additional schemes benefiting farmers.
- 03.01.2022: Rs. 1,036 crore disbursed to 50.58 lakh farmers.
- 16.05.2022: Rs. 3,758 crore credited to 50.10 lakh farmers.
- 16.10.2022: Rs. 2,096.04 crore released in Nandyal.
- 28.02.2023: Rs. 1,090.76 crore credited in Tenali.
- 01.06.2023: Rs. 3,923 crore disbursed in Kurnool, plus Rs. 54 crore as input subsidy.
- 01.09.2023: Rs. 109.74 crore for 1.46 lakh tenant farmers; Rs. 11.01 crore as input subsidy.
- 07.11.2023: Rs. 1,200 crore credited in Puttaparthi. The third installment of the fifth year was stalled due to election code restrictions, and the coalition government later scrapped the scheme.
Budget neglect
Farmers anticipated Rs. 21,432 crore, including arrears, but the 2025–26 budget allocated only Rs. 6,300 crore, far short of the Rs. 10,716 crore needed for Rs. 20,000 per farmer. Only 46.86 lakh farmers were deemed eligible, excluding 6.72 lakh. The first installment of Rs. 3,174.43 crore (Rs. 831.51 crore from PM Kisan, Rs. 2,342.92 crore from Annadata Sukheebhava) was delayed until August, tied to PM Kisan, and split into three installments, contradicting election promises.
Tenant farmers in limbo
The YSRCP government supported 1.64 lakh tenant farmers and 94,000 forest cultivators annually, including SC, ST, BC, and minority communities. The coalition promised similar aid but imposed stringent conditions like mandatory CCRC cards and crop registration. The CCRC issuance, delayed until June 2025, has reached only 3 lakh of the targeted 10 lakh farmers, leaving their aid uncertain.
Systemic neglect
The Chandrababu government has dismantled farmer support systems, imposing restrictive conditions, halting free crop insurance, delaying input subsidies, and neglecting minimum support prices and crop procurement. Farmers face mounting challenges under this regime.
Jagan’s warnings vindicated
YS Jagan warned repeatedly in the Assembly and public forums that Chandrababu’s promises, including the “Super Six” and “Super Seven,” requiring Rs. 1.51 lakh crore annually, were unfeasible. While YSRCP fulfilled its pledges with Rs. 70,000 crore yearly, Jagan highlighted the impossibility of Chandrababu’s additional Rs. 80,000 crore promises. His warnings have proven accurate as farmers face betrayal.
