Over 13 lakh farmers across owning more than five acres each are awaiting the Rythu Bandhu aid from the State Government, which is currently facing a shortage of funds for the scheme, according to official sources.
Already faced with a fund crunch for regular use, the government is learnt to have asked the finance department to give priority to paying salaries and pensions for employees and pensioners for the month of July. As of now, employees working in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts have received their salaries.
With July entering its third week, there is pressure from employees of other districts for salaries and pensions, forcing the finance department to channelise available funds towards the same.
For this season, the government has to disburse Rs 7,720.29 crore to 70 lakh farmers. It has disbursed Rs 4,377.42 crore till June 30, while disbursal of Rs 3,242.87 crore is pending. The direct account credit of Rythu Bandhu aid, of Rs 5,000 per acre, for the ongoing kharif season started on June 26.