Jagan Alleges Naidu’s Failure Worsened AP Drought Crisis
Against the normal Kharif acreage of 76 lakh acres, sowing had covered only 56.4 lakh acres, leaving nearly 20 lakh acres unsown. Farmers cultivating red gram, cotton, groundnut, maize, paddy and fruit orchards had suffered losses of ₹15,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre, he said
VIJAYAWADA: YSRC president and former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of worsening the drought situation in Andhra Pradesh by failing to take timely measures despite a continuing rainfall deficit.
Addressing YSRC regional coordinators and district presidents through a video conference, Jagan Mohan Reddy said the state had recorded a rainfall deficit of over 51 per cent during the Kharif season till September 16. Of the 688 mandals, 628 were facing drought-like conditions and 332 were in severe drought, he said.
Against the normal Kharif acreage of 76 lakh acres, sowing had covered only 56.4 lakh acres, leaving nearly 20 lakh acres unsown. Farmers cultivating red gram, cotton, groundnut, maize, paddy and fruit orchards had suffered losses of ₹15,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre, he said.
Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the government had failed to declare drought-hit mandals, provide alternative seeds and fodder, or seek additional workdays under the VB-G RAM G scheme. He termed the situation the “Yellow Nino effect”.
He demanded Rs 15,000 per acre for unsown land, Rs 25,000 for damaged crops and Rs 6,000 crore as input subsidy. He also sought loan rescheduling, free crop insurance, fodder, additional workdays and tanker-based drinking water.
