Total of 17,463 cheques will be distributed among tribal farmers

Investment support under the Rythu Bandhu scheme through cheques will be given to tribals withrights to forest lands under the Scheduled Tribes, and the Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (ROFR) on May 21 and 22 in 189 habitations of one mandal in Adilabad district.

The total number of farmers holding the rights is 17,657, covering an extent of nearly 70,000 acres. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Collector D. Divya and Project Officer of Utnoor Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) said a total of 17,463 cheques will be distributed among tribal farmers. This would involve an amount of 2.86 crore, they added.

The programme will be launched on May 21 at Ginnera gram panchayat in Indervelli mandal, the Collector said. She said all farmers have been given the schedule for receiving cheques over the two days. Talking about the implementation of Rythu Bandhu in general, Ms. Divya said 87% of pattadar passbooks had been distributed and 86.35% cheques had been disbursed. About 50% of the total amount involved, which is about ?181 crore, has already been withdrawn, Lead District Manager J.V.S.R.K. Prasad said.