The Hindu : CM asks Collectors to draw up contingency agricultural plans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 16, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

CM asks Collectors to draw up contingency agricultural plans

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Oct. 15. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has directed the district Collectors to prepare and ground contingency agricultural plans in view of the widespread rains received during the last few days.

Reviewing the agricultural operations and the Food for Work programme in a teleconference with the collectors, the Chief Minister desired that the farmers be educated through Rythu clubs about alternate crops to make best use of the rainfall.

Since more rains are expected in the next few days, Neeru Meeru structures should be protected and the people should be motivated to go in for plantations on a large scale, he said.

The Chief Minister told the collectors not to allow dealers to create artificial scarcity of pesticides and ensure their availability in the market. Agricultural officers should go to the field and advise the farmers about the sustainability of the crops.

He also stressed that the agriculture and irrigation departments should work in tandem. Officials should prepare plans to retain the groundwater levels and help farmers reap maximum benefits of the current rains.

The Chief Minister said a proper plan should be drawn to utilise the additional three lakh tonnes of rice sanctioned by the Centre for Food for Work programme in the drought-affected areas. The programme should ensure creation of work for rural labourers. Information about the programme should be regularly updated.

The Chief Secretary, Sathi Nair, Relief Commissioner D.C. Rosaiah, Agricultural Commissioner Bhattacharya and others participated.

Irrigation

At a separate meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the performance of the irrigation department and the projects proposed in various districts.

He asked the departmental officials to specifically work out the priorities for the next five years and the funds required. Several externally aided projects are required to be completed by 2004. Projects proposed on the Godavari and other rivers are required to be speeded up with tight work schedules so as to provide the much-needed relief to the backward regions of the State. The officials should work out the details in one week so that detailed action plans could be drawn up, he said.

The Minister for Home, T. Devender Goud, Minister for Irrigation, K. Srihari, Principal Secretary J. Harinarayana, Irrigation secretaries, C.V.S.K. Sarma and D. Chakrapani, and other officials were present.

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