Fruits of farm mechanisation scheme yet to reach ryots

Khammam: The farm mechanisation scheme, Yantra Lakshmi, the prestigious scheme introduced by the Telangana government is yet to see light here in Khammam district. Under the scheme, which is implemented by the State in association with the Centre, the State government will provide 50 per cent subsidy along with loan for purchasing tractors and farm equipment.

Receiving the orders from the officials of Agriculture department, the distributors of various tractor companies are preparing the necessary documents for distributing tractors to real beneficiaries.

From the time of announcement of the scheme in 2016, many aspiring farmers applied for tractors under Yantra Lakshmi scheme. The officials released the list of beneficiaries on February 15.

Initially, the district officials of Agriculture department decided to distribute about 580 tractors along with other farm equipment under the scheme through the hands of Ministers Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, T Harish Rao and Tummala Nageswara Rao and allotted 16 per cent reservation for Scheduled Caste, eight per cent for Scheduled Tribes and 33 per cent for women. But due to postponement of tour programme by the Ministers, the equipment is yet to be distributed in the district.

District Agriculture Officer A Jhansi Lakshmi Kumari said individual farmers and co-operative societies can apply for tractors and farm equipment for the scheme. The objective of the scheme was to help farmers and reduce their farm expenses. “Tractors will save time and help get work done faster,” she said.

“The companies are ready to distribute the tractors to beneficiaries, and by organising a programme, the tractors under the scheme will be distributed by the end of February,” she added.

Meanwhile, some farmers coming to know that the tractors were going to be distributed under the scheme alleged that the distributors by joining hands with the middlemen have increased prices of tractors by around 50,000 to 70,000. They urged the officials to keep check on the prices of tractors distributed under the scheme.