Andhra Pradesh

Report on drought to be submitted in 15 days

HYDERABAD: The Central team that came to assess the drought situation in the State will submit its report to the inter-ministerial committee of the National Calamities Contingency Fund (NCCF) in 10-15 days with due recommendation for release of funds to the State government.

This assurance was given by Upma Chaudhry, joint secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation, who headed the 11-member team, to the State officials on Friday evening before returning to New Delhi.

The five groups of the team returned to the city earlier after making field visits for three days in 14 districts to get the fist-hand information about the severity of the drought, and had a wrap-up meeting with State officials.

A government official later said that the team was “convinced” that a grave situation prevailed in the State following a heavy rainfall deficit.

Meanwhile, the Congress party has sought ‘prompt relief’ to the State to face the ‘severe’ drought while the Telugu Desam sought a generous package to tackle drought and the CPI (M) committee demanded full compensation by the Centre for the investment loss of Rs.10,000-crore suffered by farmers.

APCC leaders N. Tulasi Reddy, M. Kodanda Reddy and S. Lakshminarayana, in a memorandum, stated that the agricultural production was ‘severely’ affected due to drought and subsequently resulted in damage to horticulture, rural drinking water supply, animal husbandry and rural employment.

A Telugu Desam delegation separately met the Central team and sought one-time crop loan waiver, doubling of input subsidy.

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