PM agrees to enhance rice quota, says Naidu

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 13. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has reacted positively to the request of the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, for enhancement of rice quota under the food- for-work programme in the drought-affected areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who was addressing a meeting of the Telugu Desam Legislature Party (TDLP) on Thursday, said he spoke to Mr. Vajpayee for sanction of rice at 10 kg per head under the food- for-work scheme and that the latter agreed to it. Presently, people in the affected areas get 5 kg of rice free and Rs 30 as wage per day. ``Let us take up maximum number of works and provide relief to the people,'' he said.

Mr. Naidu is understood to have indicated that he would convene a meeting of party MPs numbering 40 to request them to allot all of Rs 2 crores they were entitled to under the MPLADS (MP local areas development scheme) to help take up drought works. The sum of Rs 80 crores so raised could enable the Government to seek a matching grant of another Rs 80 crores. Thus an action plan for drought mitigation costing Rs 160 crores could be put on ground, he was quoted as telling party MLAs. This would help the Government continue drought relief works right till summer. The members in turn sought sanction of Rs 10 lakhs for taking up works in their constituency. He told Ministers that Collectors would function under their supervision, but they would be primarily responsible for the relief programme.

The Chief Minister explained the grim magnitude of the situation, the low levels in reservoirs, meagre inflows, grave power shortage in the face of unprecedented rise in demand. The recent grid collapse was caused, among others, due to overdrawals by Karnataka. AP Transco was given a letter of credit for Rs 40 crores to enable it to buy power from outside. He said private borewells could be ``acquired'' to augment drinking water supply in the rural areas.

The Congress might be interested in politicising issues, but the TDP should strive to highlight issues and serve people. Ruling party members should radiate team spirit. The Ministers should prepare well to face the Opposition and effectively answer their criticism. The members should attend every day and sit through the proceedings.

Mr. Naidu paid tributes to Anne Babu Rao, member from Vuyyur, who died recently. He also made a mention of the terrorist attacks in the U.S., where a number of Indians lived, and said he had urged the Prime Minister to coordinate with the Indian authorities there to take up rescue and relief.

Messrs J.R. Pushparaj, deputy leader, TDLP, Y. Ramakrushnudu, Minister for Legislative Affairs, G. Babu Rao and P. Raghunatha Reddy, Government whips, were present.

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