Date:08/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/08/stories/2006090811890300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

`State neglecting ryots'

Staff Reporter

Input subsidy sought for the crop loss suffered in last kharif
Erratic power supply claiming lives of farmers due to loss of crops

Supply of alternative crop seed with 90 per cent subsidy sought

ANANTAPUR: The district unit of Communist Party of India (CPI) has alleged that the State Government has been neglecting the farmers.

Talking to newspersons here on Thursday district secretary of the party M.V. Ramana demanded that the Government write off crop loans, open free fodder centres and provide drinking water to 440 villages to infuse some confidence among the farmers.

He also urged the Government to help all the farmers by giving them input subsidy for the crop loss suffered in last kharif and this year. He suggested provision of 200 days wage work to each wage-seeking family under NREGS.

The Government appeared to have washed off its hands by providing free power to agriculture. But, unfortunately, erratic power supply to farm sector was claiming lives of farmers due to loss of crops, he said.

Dharna on September 14

he party would stage a dharna in front of Collectorate on September 14 to highlight farmers' problems.

Meanwhile, district secretary of Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham affiliated to CPI (M) P. Peddi Reddy also demanded that the Government supply alternative crop seed with 90 per cent subsidy as the time for groundnut sowing had lapsed.

Talking to reporters he also urged the Government to write off loans, to disburse input subsidy for 2005 kharif crop loss within couple of days, supply fodder in all villages, ensure 9-hour power supply to agriculture, fill tanks under PABR right canal and ensure allocated water flow in HLC.

The APRS would stage a road-bandh on September 12 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon pressing the Government for helping farmers.