New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday announced a
relief of Rs 400 crore to provide succour to rain-hit farmers
in Andhra Pradesh, a move aimed at countering the political
fall-out of the fast undertaken by TDP leader N Chandrababu
Naidu and Jaganmohan Reddy who resigned from Congress.
A delegation comprising MPs from the state met Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh here today and apprised him of the
losses incurred by farmers in various regions hit by cyclone
and rains recently.
The delegation apprised him that the "unprecedented"
rains had resulted in extensive damage to cotton crops and
tobacco as also paddy.
"The Prime Minister announced an advance of Rs 400 crore
to be paid to the state government for immediate relief and
assured the delegation that expeditious action would be
taken on the reports of the central team and based on their
assessement additional relief could be provided," a PMO
spokesman said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy had also
met the Prime Minister a few days ago and drew his attention
to the plight of the farmers of the state.
PTI
