More rice, extension of 'Food for work' sought

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, NOV. 13. The Chief Minister, Mr.N.Chandrababu Naidu, on Tuesday urged the Centre to make a further allocation of 3.42 lakh tonnes of rice from the FCI and extend the `Food for work' programme up to June 15, 2002.

In a letter addressed to the Union Minister of Agriculture, Mr.Ajit Singh, the Chief Minister said that the Central Government had allocated six lakh tonnes of rice in two instalments for taking up employment generation works under the FWP in view of drought.

The Government had utilized 3.42 lakh tonnes of rice. Due to severe drought the normal area under various crops had been reduced by a large extent resulting in unemployment in the agriculture sector. The recent cyclonic rain had further hampered agricultural operations during October. It had become inevitable that the Government extend the wage employment works till the next monsoon - up to June, 2002. Mr.Naidu recalled his discussions in this regard with the Prime Minister on October 28, and said that the latter had accepted the proposal. Hence, a further allocation of 3.42 lakh tonnes of rice must be made based on the utilisation pattern in various districts, he said. The Utilisation Certificate along with district-wise rice utilisation pattern was sent to the Central Relief Commissioner and to the Secretary, Agriculture, he said.

Besides writing the letter, the Chief Minister urged Mr. Ajit Singh on the telephone to sanction subsidy as announced in the budget (Rs.125 crores) to construct rural godowns for accommodating 15 lakh tonnes of rice. He sought early assistance under the cyclone and flood damage too.

Central DA sanctioned

The Chief Minister meanwhile has ordered sanction of DA to State Government employees on a par with the Central Government employees. The Centre had sanctioned 2 per cent DA for its employees with effect from July 1, 2001.

Accordingly, the Chief Minister sanctioned of DA of 1.636 per cent to State Government employees from July 1, 2001, as per the indexation formula.

The Chief Minister also ordered sanction of ad hoc increase to village officers and village servants at Rs.25 per month with effect from July 1, 2001. Mr.Naidu had assured the employees' leaders of the sanction of DA when they met him two days ago.

The total financial commitment per year will be Rs.52.57 crores and the commitment for the current year will be Rs.35.05 crores.

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Section  : Southern States
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