A group of retired judges, academics and rights activists has pressed Telangana's Cabinet Sub-Committee on Recognising and Licensing Tenant Cultivators to convene at the earliest and confront a growing worry in the countryside: the fate of tenant farmers whose kharif crops now face uncertainty from El Nino conditions. In an open letter, the citizens' forum asked the panel to examine the present situation and arrive at a positive interim resolution so that action can begin immediately.
Key facts
- The forum wants the Cabinet panel to meet urgently and pass a positive interim resolution.
- El Nino conditions have cast doubt over the prospects of kharif crops.
- A comprehensive study by the 'Telangana Kaulu Raitula Gurtimpu Sadhana Committee' was released on June 9 this year.
- Most tenant farmers are growing paddy, cotton, maize and other crops.
- The Land Licensed Cultivators Act, 2011 is already in force in Telangana.
Who is behind the appeal
The letter carries unusual weight. The forum comprises Justice (Retd.) B. Sudershan Reddy, Prof. D. Narasimha Reddy, Prof. G. Haragopal, Prof. Shanta Sinha, Justice (Retd.) B. Chandra Kumar, social activist and founder of Gramya Resource Centre for Women Dr. V. Rukmini Rao, and Akunuri Murali.
Pointing to a Statewide campaign for the recognition of cultivators and their inclusion in government schemes, the forum noted that the 'Telangana Kaulu Raitula Gurtimpu Sadhana Committee' had conducted a comprehensive study, with its report released on June 9 this year. There is, they said, a serious urgency for recognition of tenant cultivators.
Why the timing matters
The government, the forum argued, has already been slow to react to the situation. Beginning the recognition process at the earliest — this month itself — would allow tenant farmers to sell their produce at the minimum support price to procurement agencies. Most of them are raising paddy, cotton, maize and other crops, and they have already endured a difficult time under the El Nino impact. Denying them MSP now, the forum warned, could trigger distress among them.
A law already in place
Crucially, the forum stressed that Telangana does not need to start from scratch. The State already has a legal instrument for recognising tenant cultivators — the Land Licensed Cultivators Act, 2011. With the law in force, it is the duty of the government to implement it immediately, the letter said. Once recognised, tenant farmers should receive the benefit of institutional credit as well as the various government schemes designated for farmers, the forum suggested.
Key dates
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| June 9, 2026 | Study report of 'Telangana Kaulu Raitula Gurtimpu Sadhana Committee' released |
| September 5, 2026 | Citizens' forum addresses open letter to the Cabinet Sub-Committee |
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