Centre announces Rs 791-cr drought relief to TS

Finally, the State Government efforts are fructified with Centre announcing to offer Rs 791 cr towards drought relief to Telangana.

Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh has announced this in national capital. A high-level committee meeting discussed the issue of providing financial assistance to the State which sought Rs 1500 crore. Consequent to the fallout of the meeting which dealt with the issue, Singh said the Centre has decided to give Rs 791 crore to Telangana towards drought relief. This is huge amount that was not given to undivided Andhra Pradesh State, he said.

It may be noted here that Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao met Singh in Delhi on Wednesday and urged him to allot generous funds for drought-hit districts in Telangana. Earlier, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wrote a letter to Radhamohan Singh seeking him substantial financial assistance towards drought relief. Recently a Central Team made a visit to drought hit 231 mandals in the State and promised to offer adequate financial succor to the state. After the assessment of Rs 3000 crore drought loss, the State government sought Rs 200 cr and urged an immediate release of Rs 1500 cr. However, the Centre finally agreed to offer Rs 791 cr to the State. The Union Home Minister chaired the High Level Committee meeting for Central assistance to drought affected Telangana. Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley, Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and senior officers of the Ministries of Home, Finance and Agriculture attended the meeting.