CM To Seek Relief In Delhi

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy left for New Delhi today to seek a special relief package from the centre for distressed farmers and weavers of the state.

Giving details of the Chief Minister's visit after a review meeting held at the state Secretariat on Tuesday, Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy said that Kiran Kumar Reddy reiterated that he would make an all-out effort to get the special package so that the farmers reeling under successive natural calamities can be benefited.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting with Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy, Chief Secretary S V Prasad and top officials of Agriculture and Finance departments on the key issues to be raised and discussed with the central leaders.

The state government was adopting a multi-pronged strategy to help farmers through compensation, fresh crop loans, waiver of interests on the loans already availed, input subsidies, ensuring purchase of discoloured and damaged paddy, and other crop insurances.

Kiran Reddy said, "We have done what best we can for the farmers, but I feel that is not enough. We want to do more to help the farmers to overcome the situation. Hence, I will take up the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and other central leaders. I shall tell them that the farmers in Andhra Pradesh need a special package since they were hit by repeated floods and very heavy rains, leading to heavy crop losses in some of the districts. I will also request the Prime Minister to treat the Rs. 400 crore already sanctioned as special grant, and release more funds. I hope they will understand the peculiar position of the farmers and help them".

The Chief Minister discussed with the officials about the progress of distribution of relief already sanctioned and released by the state government. Kiran Kumar Reddy said that his government already released Rs. 1,019 crore as input subsidy to districts for 2009 and 2010.

He also instructed the District Collectors and other officials to ensure that 100% of the input subsidy was distributed before Sankranti. The Collectors have been directed to hold DCC meeting and complete the distribution process.

The Chief Minister said that procurement of discoloured and damaged paddy was in full swing, and the government once again issued instructions to procure damaged paddy up to 50%. He said the Food Corporation Of India was also procuring discoloured paddy up to 10% and broken grains up to 30%.

Kiran Kumar Reddy said he will once again take up this issue with Union Agriculture Minister and see that the FCI was given necessary directions.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the government had already announced a special package for weavers, and would see that it reached them without fail. He said Rs. 312 crore was provided in the budget towards loan waiver for weavers.

The Chief Minister said that the centre and state put together would help the farmers and weavers to the maximum extent possible, and help them to raise the next crop.

Courtesy: INN