AP seeks Rs 10,000 cr for drought relief

The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to seek Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre to undertake drought relief measures in the state. A memorandum will be submitted to the Union government shortly. A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting held by chief minister, K Rosaiah, on Sunday.

The chief minister asked the officials to ensure that loans to farmers were rescheduled, seed for alternative crops and fodder supplied and transportation of drinking water streamlined, according to a press release.

The commissioner of disaster management and special commissioner of drought relief briefed the chief minister about the latest situation in various districts and the urgent steps to be taken to tackle drought conditions. So far, the state has received 32 per cent rainfall of 376.4 mm as against the normal of 552.6 mm during the season. The state government recently declared 981 mandals as drought-affected.

The chief minister wanted district-level bankers’ committee meetings to be convened for rescheduling of existing crop loans and issue of fresh loans. He would also ask the bankers to sanction consumption loans wherever requested according to Reserve Bank of India norms.