Date:13/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/13/stories/2008041359030700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR assures aid for farmers

Special Correspondent

Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 for ryots not covered by loan waiver

VIKARABAD (Ranga Reddy dt.): Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday assured an assistance of Rs. 3,000 to 5,000 to farmers who could not be covered by the loan waiver scheme of the Central government as they had already repaid the loans.

Addressing a public meeting as part of the Praja Patham programme of the State government at Mominpet village here, Dr. Reddy said the government wanted to ensure that all small and marginal farmers got the benefit of the loan waiver announced during the presentation of the Union Budget recently. The scheme benefited 78 lakh farmers in the State whose loans to a tune of Rs. 12,000 crore would be waived.

He said the government was doing whatever possible for the welfare of the people of the State.

The health insurance for poor was a unique programme of the government which afforded the beneficiaries an opportunity to avail quality treatment in corporate hospitals, he said.

He recalled passing through Mominpet shortly after commencing his marathon padayatra from Chevella five years ago.

Mines and Geology Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy thanked the Chief Minister for agreeing to extend the Pranahita-Chevella link canal project to entire Ranga Reddy district.

Building inaugurated

Dr. Reddy also inaugurated the new building of the local police station.