The team to Chakrampally in Telangana, decided to undertake a study of the Rythu Bandhu scheme of the Telangana state government to evaluate whether it is an adequate solution to the agrarian crisis which the state is facing. The scheme itself was implemented initially for the 2018-19 kharif season and data collection occurred during March, 2019.

A survey questionnaire was administered to 96 respondents in and around Chakrampally village and focus group discussions were held to gather more information for specific questions. The results were examined to throw light on the water crisis which differentially affects the various demographic groups within the sample population and to assess the impact of the Rythu Bandhu scheme with reference to logistical issues hindering its implementation, how the money was spent by the beneficiaries, whether it eased their loan burden and so on. Responses were also collected to gauge whether income support schemes enjoy more public confidence than other options such as MSPs and whether the beneficiaries should be tenants or landowners or both segments.

The team concluded that the scheme had faced deficiencies in its execution and although it had provided relief and monetary support to its beneficiaries, it needed to be supplemented with other measures to provide a long term solution to the agrarian crisis in Telangana.