Hyderabad, January 5: The Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, today reiterated that he would make an all-out effort to get a Special Package of Relief from the Centre for the distressed farmers and weavers. The Chief Minister, who will be leaving for Delhi today, held a detailed meeting with the Finance Minister, Mr Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, the Revenue Minister, Mr N Raghuveera Reddy, the Chief Secretary, Mr S V Prasad, and top officials of the Agriculture and Finance Departments on the key issues to be raised and discussed with the Central leaders.
The State government was adopting a multi-pronged strategy to help the farmers through compensation, fresh crop loans, waiver of interests on the loans already availed, input subsidies, ensuring purchase of discoloured and damaged paddy and other crops and crop insurance and inclusion of tenant farmers.
“We have done what best we can for the farmers. But I feel that is not enough. We want to do more to help the farmers to overcome the situation. Hence, I will take up the issue with the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, and other Central leaders. I shall tell them that the farmers in Andhra Pradesh need a special package since they were hit by repeated floods and very heavy rains leading heavy crop losses in some of the districts. I will also request the Prime Minister to treat the Rs 400 crores already sanctioned as special grant and release more funds. I hope they will understand the peculiar position of A.P. Farmers and help them”.
The Chief Minister discussed with the officials about the progress of distribution of relief already sanctioned and released by the State government. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said that his government already released Rs 1,019 crores as input subsidy to districts for 2009 and 2010. He also instructed the district Collectors and other officials to ensure that 100% of the input subsidy is distributed before Sankranti. The Collectors have been directed to hold DCC meeting and complete the distribution process.
The Chief Minister said procurement of discoloured and damaged paddy is in full swing and the Government once again issued instructions to procure damaged paddy up to 50%. He said the Food Corporation of India is also procuring discoloured paddy up to 10% and broken grains up to 30%. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said he will once again take up this issue with Union Agriculture Minister and see that FCI is given necessary directions. The CM has reiterated that the Government has already announced a special package for weavers and would see that it reaches them without fail. He said Rs 312 crs is provided in the budget towards loan waiver for weavers. The Chief Minister said that the Centre and State put together will help the farmers and weavers to the maximum extent possible and help them to raise the next crop.
NSS