Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has lined up the launch of major welfare schemes, covering a huge chunk of the population, for August 15 to mark the Independence Day celebrations. The CM will launch Kanti Velugu, a scheme to conduct free eye screening tests, perform surgeries and distribute spectacles free of cost in all districts, Rythu Bhima, a scheme to provide all farmers with Rs. 5 lakh free insurance, and distribute Rs. 2000 crore loans to BCs for self-employment schemes.
Over 28 lakh farmers have enrolled for the Rythu Bhima scheme so far. The distribution of insurance bond certificates to farmers started this week in all the districts. The insurance cover will come into force from August 15. All farmers in the age group of 18 to 59 years are eligible for the scheme. The government has entered into an MoU with the Life Insurance Corporation of India to implement the scheme. The government has already paid Rs. 630 crore to LIC towards payment of premium on behalf of farmers.
The CM said “This is the largest life insurance scheme in the world being implemented by the Telangana government for the welfare of farmers. In the event of death of a farmer for any reason, the LIC will pay an insurance amount of Rs. 5 lakh to the nominee of the farmer within 10 days. The Agriculture Extension Officer and the Panchayat Secretary are entrusted with the job of ensuring that the compensation reaches farmer’s nominee within 10 days by submitting the death certificate to LIC and completing all procedural formalities.”
Besides, the distribution of loans to Backward Classes without bank linkage will also be launched in all the 31 districts on August 15. Finance Minister Etela Rajender on Sunday held a meeting with officials to finalise the modalities for distribution of loans. He said the government had allotted Rs. 2000 crore for the scheme and the loans would be distributed purely on merit without giving any scope for favouritism. The Kanti Velugu programme will be taken up for six months starting August 15, covering all districts in phases. By DC
