12-05-2025
Tenant farmers demand recognition, revival of 2011 act before kharif
Hyderabad:
Tenant farmers
from across Telangana have demanded immediate recognition under state agricultural schemes and the reimplementation of the Land Licensed Cultivators Act, 2011 ahead of the 2025 kharif season.
At a consultation organised by the
Telangana Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare Commission, tenant farmers put forth a united call for the restoration of their legal status and access to institutional from Vikarabad, Adilabad, Jayashankar, Karimnagar, Mahabubabad, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts attended the meeting on Monday. Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV), which has long supported tenants' rights, backed the call.
RSV leader Kiran Kumar Vissa reiterated that the Congress must honour its farmer Kuruva Manjula from Thondapalli in Parigi mandal recounted how she met Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022 after her husband's suicide due to debt.
Despite assurances, she said she has not received any benefit from the govt so far. "Even now, I am farming on leased land, but there is no crop loan, no insurance. I ask CM Revanth Reddy and Rahul Gandhi: when will you do justice?"Ramakanth from Adilabad district recalled that identity cards issued under the 2011 Act helped them access loans, crop compensation, and sell produce at procurement centres. Since the cards were discontinued, he said, the proceeds from crop sales have gone to landowners' accounts, excluding leaders also cited Congress's Warangal Declaration and a September 2023 open letter from then TPCC president Revanth Reddy assuring justice for tenant farmers. RSV said the continued delay violates that assurance. The group said over 75% of farmer suicides in the state were tenant farmers and urged the govt to act demanded that applications be invited under the 2011 Act, identity cards issued through Gram Sabha inquiries, and awareness created among landowners. The group reiterated that the law clearly states that identity cards do not alter ownership emphasised that tenant farmers are eligible for Rythu Bharosa investment support, insurance, and crop loss compensation. But in practice, they are excluded due to lack of identification and legal backing.
