Hyderabad, September 08: Late rains have improved the agriculture situation in the State by boosting the sown area of crops to 53.81 lakh hectares (68 per cent) compared to the season’s normal of 79 lakh hectares.
Similarly, there was an overall improvement in drinking water position, Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy told reporters following a review meeting held by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on seasonal conditions here on Monday.
He said the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that 82 per cent (Rs.1,120 crore) of the targeted crop loans of Rs.14,000 crore were disbursed to farmers. He hoped that the crop-sown area would go up to 62 lakh hectares by the end of the season which would be 78 per cent of the season’s normal area.
Mr. Rosaiah had directed the drought special officers to visit their respective districts to review the situation once a fortnight instead of once a week in view of the changed situation.
The Chief Minister also noted that 284 out of the 1,113 grievances received by the State control room about various drought-related problems were solved. Officials were told to attend to grievances on a daily basis hereafter. The Chief Minister had also asked the Rural and Urban Water Supply departments to ensure that there were no complaints regarding drinking water supply and the Rural Development department to provide wage employment to all those who seek it.
Rural Development Minister V. Vasantha Kumar said the number of people seeking work under NREGS had decreased due to the rains.
-Agencies