Farmers continue to wait for promised Rs 500 paddy bonus in Karimnagar

The farmers are going through what seems an endless wait for the Rs 500 per quintal bonus

KARIMNAGAR: Paddy farmers, who finally managed to sell their crop after facing severe hardships at paddy purchasing centres, are now facing their next dilemma, on when the State government will pay them the promised Rs 500 per quintal bonus for fine variety paddy.

In the wake of the recent unseasonal rains, farmers were in trouble trying to protect their crop. Even after managing to harvest it, there have been several instances of paddy being soaked in rainwater in many procurement centres. However, after procurement, too, their woes are not over. They are now going through what seems an endless wait for the Rs 500 per quintal bonus. Many farmers here have pointed out that the amount was not yet deposited in their bank accounts along with the minimum support price (MSP).

The Congress government, which had promised to provide the Rs 500 bonus to all paddy varieties, had changed its stance after coming to power and restricted the bonus to only fine varieties. But even that now appears to be another hollow promise. In the last Vanakalam season, ryots had to wait for three months for the bonus.

Instead of paying a bonus along with the minimum support price, only the MSP of Rs 2,320 is being deposited in the bank accounts of farmers. The bonus is paid after a few months, causing inconvenience to farmers. So far in this season, more than 2 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured from farmers. MSP to the tune of Rs 370 crore was paid as against Rs 490 crore. Out of 2 lakh metric tonnes, 23,000 metric tonnes is fine variety. Though an MSP amount of Rs 53.36 crore was deposited, a bonus to the tune of Rs 11.50 crore has not been paid.

Farmers, who have been eagerly waiting for the bonus for the last 20 days, are demanding that the government pay the amount without further delay.