Andhra Pradesh CM seeks relief package for drought-hit farmers
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu requested 200 days of employment and loan rescheduling during a meeting with a central team.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has requested a relief package for farmers affected by drought, according to The Hindu. The demands were presented on Wednesday to an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that visited the state to assess the situation.
Mr. Naidu asked for the minimum guaranteed employment under the VB-G RAM G scheme to be increased to 200 days and extended to agricultural activities. He also sought ration cards for eligible families, the rescheduling of agricultural loans, and the rapid settlement of crop insurance claims.
The Chief Minister noted that deficient rainfall and long dry spells have impacted kharif crops. He stated that Rayalaseema is experiencing a lack of fodder, drinking water, and irrigation water, adding that Anantapur has the second-lowest rainfall in India.
The state has identified 412 mandals in 21 districts as drought-affected. Mr. Naidu requested the expansion of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to connect rural water sources due to falling groundwater levels and asked for compensation to be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts.
The IMCT visited Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, and Sri Sathya Sai districts on November 2 and 3. The Chief Minister urged the team to consider both the drought and the damage from two recent cyclones in coastal areas when recommending aid.
The central team said they will submit a report within 15 days based on field inspections and state information. The Centre will decide on assistance after reviewing that report, while the state plans to submit a crop loss report within a week.