BJP for monitoring panels

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 3. The BJP State president, Mr. C. Ramachandra Reddy, has urged the Government to constitute monitoring committees at the district and mandal level with representatives of political parties to eliminate possible misuse of drought relief funds.

Mr. Reddy made this plea in a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday suggesting a series of measures to mitigate the hardships of farmers and agricultural labourers in drought-affected areas.

Appreciating the Cabinet's decision to defer collection of school and college fee, he pointed out that two other suggestions made by the BJP at the all-party meeting to defer collection of electricity and loan repayment had not been considered. These measures would give the much-needed relief to people, he said.

The BJP chief wanted the State Government to immediately launch a food-for-work programme on an extensive scale and to monitor it closely so that labourers were given employment and given cash and foodgrains as per the norms.

Besides, the Government must take up urgent repair of all damaged borewells, supply drinking water through tankers, initiate immediate steps to provide cattle fodder and instruct agricultural extension officers to extensively tour the State to offer advice to farmers on the alternative crops to be cultivated, he said.

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Section  : Southern States
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