Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly, on Thursday, passed the AP Corp Cultivator Rights Bill, 2019 to bestow certain privileges to tenant farmers without affecting the rights of the landowners.

Once the new law comes into force, close to 16 lakh tenant farmers would have access to credit from banks, insurance cover besides the Rs 12,500 per annum input assistance from the government.

Speaking on e Bill, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said all benefits including the 'Rythu Bharosa' would be given to the tenant cultivator along with other benefits like bank loans, crop insurance.

However, the ownership rights of the landowner would not be affected in any way as the tenant farmer would be signing only an 11-month agreement, he added.

Hailing the bill, members of the ruling party said it would immensely benefit lakhs of tenant farmers. The Bill was passed by voice vote.