The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Tackle drought on war-footing: YSR

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 04, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Tackle drought on war-footing: YSR

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 3. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has instructed officials to implement the contingency plan prepared to tackle drought conditions immediately in all 665 affected mandals in the State.

He directed them on Friday to ensure 4,500 tonnes fodder supply. A subsidy of 75 per cent would also be given for raising fodder in 2.25 lakh acres in 15 districts so that 5.62 lakh tonnes of fodder could be raised. This would costi the Government Rs. 6.30 crores.

CM's directive

He also directed the Agriculture Department to stock 2.84 lakh quintals seed for dry crops like jowar, castor, pulses, groundnut, maize, sunflower, soyabean and horsegram with the Andhra Pradesh Seeds Corporation to help farmers in distress. There should be no room for any complaint in this regard, he warned them. The seed supply would ensure coverage of 11.66 lakh hectares of land affected by deficient rainfall in the State.

Water supply

Directing the officials to step up water supply to habitations deprived of water sources, he said Rs. 92.68 crores had already been made available with the Panchayat Raj Department for augmentation of drinking water supply. A fresh contingency plan of Rs. 167 crores had been made for drilling new bores, deepening and flushing of bores and maintenance of sources. Recalling that the Cabinet meeting on September 1 had approved the release of Rs. 100 crores, he said no effort must be spared in improving the water availability.

He asked municipal officials to implement the contingency plan prepared with Rs. 15 crores to ease the drinking water shortage in urban centres. Already, Rs. 21 crores had been made available this year for augmenting water supply in towns and of this Rs. 11 crores had been spent.

To provide gainful employment to the rural masses, he said 2.29 metric tonnes of rice had been kept ready under Sampoorna Grameena Rozgar Yozana (special component). The Centre had released 6 lakh tonnes of rice under the programme.

Drought pension

The Chief Minister had directed release of 6 lakh drought pensions under which 10 kg of rice would be given per person per month.

The value of the rice to be distributed would be Rs. 32 crores. A special nutrition programme for pregnant and lactating women of BPL families has also been made.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh