CM KCR meets PM Modi, seeks release of funds towards drought assistance

The state govt had asked for a Rs 3,064 crore assistance from the Centre to undertake relief activities

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the balance amount of Rs 2,352 crore as was sought by his government towards drought relief measures.

The state government had asked for a Rs 3,064-crore assistance from the Centre to undertake relief activities covering supply of drinking water, cattle fodder and the distribution of input subsidy to farmers in the drought affected areas in Telangana. The union government has so far given Rs 712 crore to the state for this purpose.

Chief Minister KCR met the PM Modi in Delhi and explained about the drought situation prevailed in the state. He also informed the prime minister about various measures being taken up to provide relief to people in drought affected areas.

"Crops were damaged in 13.52 lakh hectares affecting 2.18 million farmers in the state. Cotton, maize and soya bean among other crops were affected while vegetable and horticulture crops in another 23,700 hectares were also damaged.We will distribute the input subsidy to the affected farmers as soon as the Centre releases the funds to us," Chief Minister Rao said in a meeting, which lasted for about one and half hours.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and other officials were also present in the meeting.

The chief minister explained to the PM Modi about the progress on two of the state government's flagship programmes-Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya.

The state government has undertaken a massive programme called Mission Bhagiratha, aimed at providing drinking water through pipeline to each household across 24,000 habitations and 90 per cent of the work on this project was expected to be completed by 2017. Mission Kakatiya involves restoration of 46,000 ponds and other minor water resources.

He also requested PM Modi to release funds promised under the AP Reorganisation Act towards the development of backward regions in the state, according to the chief minister's office.