Guntur: Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah
Naidu on Saturday demanded declaration of "agriculture emergency" in Andhra Pradesh, which was whipped by a cyclonic storm earlier
causing huge damage to the crops in as many as 13 districts.
"Let all government departments suspend their normal work
for one month and concentrate on relief and rehabilitation of
the affected agriculturists. The government should declare
agriculture emergency in Andhra Pradesh," he told reporters
here after surveying the crop loss.
He also demanded that government should waive off
interest on institutional crop loans, reschedule the repayment
of the principal, provide fresh credit and pay an ex-gratia of
Rs 5,000 per acre to the farmers.
Naidu attributed the misery of the farmers to inadequate
and neglected drainage system which resulted into stagnation
of rain water in the fields aggravating the damage to crops.
"The government should accord top priority to improve the
drainage facility," he said.
The BJP leader said with regards to Andhra Pradesh's poor
economic health, the Centre should generously help the state
mitigate the hardship being faced by farmers.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, December 11, 2010, 23:29