Assembly begins debate on drought situation

Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy on Saturday informed the State Legislative Assembly that a comprehensive report on the drought situation in the State would be ready in the next 15 days.

Repeating the statement that he has already made in the State Legislative Council on Thursday, the Revenue Minister said that the enumeration of the affected farmers of both, agriculture and horticulture crops, was in the advanced stage of completion. Enumeration work has been completed in about 10 districts. Computerisation of list of beneficiaries of the affected farmers was in progress.

The Minister said that the entire enumeration, computerisation, display and verification of affected framers would be completed by first week of December. "A detailed memorandum on drought would be prepared indicating incidence and spread of drought, relief and mitigation measures and the details of assistance from the Centre in the first fortnight of December," he said.

The Minister said that the based on the enumeration done by the District Collectors agricultural crops spread over 22 lakh hectares have been lost due to drought. Heavy damage has been caused to crops such as groundnut, cotton, paddy, maize, castor, redgram, jowar, pulses, millets and oilseeds. Horticulture crops including sweet oranges, chillies, mango, chillies, mango, banana and papaya spread across 23,320 hectares have been lost due to drought.

Reacting to the Minister’s statements, TDP MLA R Chandrasekhara Reddy said that the State Government's negligent attitude have been forcing the distressed farmers in the State to commit suicide. He said the government has failed to fix proper MSPs for crops like cotton, rice, sugar, chilli or papayya leading to heavy losses to the farmers. He said the seasonal condition and the government's negligent attitude have forced thousands of farmers in the State into a debt trap.

Chandrasekhara Reddy alleged that the government has wasted time by constituting multiple committees to study the problems being faced by the farmers instead of giving them direct help. He said the government was running away from its reponsiblities towards the farmers' welfare.

However, Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy denied the allegations saying that the government was committed for the welfare of farmers and have taken several measures to ensure their sufferings get minimised. He said Central assistance was also being sought for the drought-hit farmers in the State.