The Hindu : National : Implement relief package early, Centre urged

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 01, 2006

National

National

Implement relief package early, Centre urged

Special Correspondent

Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharasthra Congress chiefs meet Manmohan

NEW DELHI: Seeking an early implementation of the rehabilitation package announced by the Centre for 31 districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharasthra, Congress chiefs of these States urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to announce the details as soon as possible.

The Congress chiefs' delegation said the relief package announced by the Government should be made operational so that the farmers could benefit immediately .

Briefing correspondents, AICC general secretary Margaret Alva who, along with Digvijay Singh accompanied the four Pradesh Congress chiefs said the Prime Minister had promised to send officials from his office and had asked the Minister of State in the PMO to monitor the schemes.

Andhra Pradesh Congress chief K. Kesava Rao said that besides seeking early clearance of the Rs. 51,000 crore package the State Government had sought to address the agrarian crisis, he urged the Prime Minister to grant a special package for the Telangana region.

Peculiar problem

Mallikarjun Kharge, who heads the Karnataka Congress, said the State was facing a peculiar problem with 104 of the 175 taluks affected by drought and some parts of North Karnataka affected by floods. Home Minister Shivraj Patil during his tour of the State on Wednesday announced a Rs. 250-crore interim relief against the Rs. 1,500 crore sought by the State. "We requested that the Centre give a package that would do justice to all four States," Mr. Kharge said.

Ms. Alva, in charge of Maharashtra affairs, said PCC chief Prabha Rau had asked the Centre to announce the details of the relief package announced by the Prime Minister during his visit to the region.

Kerala PCC president, Ramesh Chennithala, said two more districts, Alappuzha and Idukki, should be added to the three districts announced by the Centre. He said Vidarbha model package would not work since it was not drought prone and suggested that the Government consider loan waiver as in most cases farmers' suicides were on account of loans.

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

National