YSR accuses Naidu of politicising drought

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 10. The Leader of the Opposition, Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has alleged that the manner in which the State Government declared the 141 mandals in seven districts ``drought affected'' was unscientific and irrational.

In a statement, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy charged that the Chief Minister, Mr.N. Chandrababu Naidu, was politicising the issue. In Chittoor, 45 mandals out of the total 66 mandals were declared drought-hit and in the Kuppam constituency represented by the Chief Minister, all mandals were declared so. Intriguingly, the mandals recommended by the district Collector, Mr.P.V. Satyanarayana Murthy, were omitted.

The declaration was ``inordinately delayed '' to facilitate collection of power tariff, bank loans, and other recoveries from farmers. Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Anantapur, Prakasam, Medak and Karimnagar districts, which were bearing the brunt of the dry spell did not figure in the list of drought-hit areas.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy demanded that the Chief Minister convene a meeting of leaders of Opposition parties to discuss drought relief measures. Loans should be rescheduled, student tuition fees and exam fees should be waived and each mandal should earmarked Rs 2 crores. Rice should be supplied at Rs 3.50 per kg and food for work scheme should be revived.

The Congress leader said the Government could not wash its hands off by mere declaration of the areas as drought-hit. His party would corner the Government on this issue in the Assembly.

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