AP CM directs paddy farmers to be paid within 48 hours

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today directed state officials to deposit money to be paid to farmers for purchasing paddy from them in their bank accounts within 48 hours after the purchase.
Naidu gave this direction during a review of the Civil Supplies Department.
Paddy has been cultivated in 2,18,727 hectares during the Kharif season this year and 11,07,197 metric tonne of output is expected, according to an state government release.
The Andhra Pradesh government plans to set up 1,069 paddy purchase centres across the state. About 100 centres have been established in West Godavari district alone until December 1, while 16,973 metric tonne of paddy has been purchased so far.

Naidu also suggested that paddy harvesters and dryers be made available at paddy purchase centres.
Details of paddy purchases should be posted online and the women self-help groups should be given tablets for the purpose, Naidu said.

The chief minister also told irrigation officials to complete linking Krishna and Godavari rivers expeditiously since the Centre has given importance to the linking of rivers.
Naidu, who held a seperate review of irrigation issues also directed that the multi-purpose Polavaram Irrigation project be completed by 2018.
Engineers in the state should take this as a challenge and "create history", Naidu said.