Leader of the Opposition, N Chandrababu Naidu today urged the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh to declare drought without standing on ’false prestige,’ even as Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao maintained that all steps were being taken on a war-footing to tackle the adverse seasonal conditions.
Taking a cue from nine other states, the Rajasekhara Reddy government should immediately notify drought in all the districts to press for liberal Central assistance to tackle the ’’worst-ever’’ drought, forcing 141 farmers to commit suicide in the last 50 days, Mr Naidu demanded, while taking part in a short duration discussion on the issue in the State Assembly.
The TDP Chief submitted to Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy, a list purportedly containing the names of farmers, who had ended their lives during the Congress regime.Later replying to the debate, Mr Rao said the government was not averse to declaring drought in the state.
It was pondering over whether to declare drought at one go or in phases depending on the situation obtaining in the state during southwest and northeast monsoon, he said, adding, ’’We have stepped up the economic growth in the last five years with the state receiving copius rains. We will prove now that we are capable enough to tackle the adverse seasonal conditions.’’
Declaration of drought would not matter as there was no scope for the state to get any additional funds over and above the formula evolved by the Planning Commission based on population of each state for release from the Central Relief Fund (CRF), the Minister pointed out.
’’The Chief Minister will review the situation again on August 19 and pool required funds under various heads to address the problem,’’ he asserted.
Taking a cue from nine other states, the Rajasekhara Reddy government should immediately notify drought in all the districts to press for liberal Central assistance to tackle the ’’worst-ever’’ drought, forcing 141 farmers to commit suicide in the last 50 days, Mr Naidu demanded, while taking part in a short duration discussion on the issue in the State Assembly.
The TDP Chief submitted to Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy, a list purportedly containing the names of farmers, who had ended their lives during the Congress regime.Later replying to the debate, Mr Rao said the government was not averse to declaring drought in the state.
It was pondering over whether to declare drought at one go or in phases depending on the situation obtaining in the state during southwest and northeast monsoon, he said, adding, ’’We have stepped up the economic growth in the last five years with the state receiving copius rains. We will prove now that we are capable enough to tackle the adverse seasonal conditions.’’
Declaration of drought would not matter as there was no scope for the state to get any additional funds over and above the formula evolved by the Planning Commission based on population of each state for release from the Central Relief Fund (CRF), the Minister pointed out.
’’The Chief Minister will review the situation again on August 19 and pool required funds under various heads to address the problem,’’ he asserted.
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