CM Naidu Seeks Central Aid For Drought-Hit Farmers

Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday urged the Centre to extend comprehensive assistance to Andhra Pradesh’s drought-hit farmers, including 200 days of employment under the VB-G RAM G scheme, drought cards for eligible families and speedy settlement of crop insurance claims.

A central inter-ministerial team, which toured drought-hit areas in Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts on November 2 and 3, met the CM and briefed him on its field assessment.

Naidu said the state was facing contrasting natural calamities, with coastal districts hit by cyclones while Rayalaseema and other regions were reeling under severe rainfall deficits and El Nino conditions. Below-normal rainfall had damaged kharif crops, particularly in Rayalaseema, where shortages of irrigation water, drinking water and fodder had emerged. Anantapur had recorded the second-lowest rainfall in the country, he told the team.

The government, he said, had declared 412 mandals in 21 districts drought-affected and was assessing agricultural losses. A report on the drought situation would be submitted to the Centre within a week.

Naidu said natural farming required considerable manpower at the field level. He urged the Centre to increase the minimum employment guarantee under VB-G RAM G to 200 days and allow the scheme to cover agriculture-related activities to address labour shortages and generate rural employment.

He said drought had severely reduced farmers’ incomes and affected their loan repayment capacity. Recalling that ration cards had earlier been issued to farmers owning 10 acres in Rayalaseema during drought, he asked the Centre to consider drought cards for eligible affected families to help them buy essential commodities at subsidised prices.

The Chief Minister also sought central support for rescheduling agricultural loans.

Naidu said groundwater levels had fallen sharply and additional borewells were failing to provide adequate water in several areas. He sought central assistance to expand the Jal Jeevan Mission, develop and interlink rural water sources and strengthen long-term water management.

The state, he said, is arranging crop insurance compensation and input subsidies for affected farmers. Naidu urged the Centre to expedite insurance claims and ensure compensation reached farmers’ bank accounts promptly to help them finance the next crop. He also called for priority for fodder and drinking-water supplies as drought had affected livestock and rural livelihoods.

The IMCT said it would submit its report within 15 days, based on field inspections, farmers’ feedback and state government inputs.

Naidu also sought special central assistance for cyclone damage in coastal Andhra, citing the state’s simultaneous drought and cyclone-related losses.