Union Minister Assures Maximum Aid For AP’s Farmers Hit By Cyclones

Vijayawada:Union minister of state for Rural Development Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar on Wednesday assured AP farmers hit by the Arnab and Murasu cyclones that the government would extend maximum possible assistance to farmers who have lost their standing crops.

Dr. Pemmasani visited the cyclone-hit areas in Kollipara mandal of Guntur district, inspected the inundated paddy, black gram, and cotton fields, and interacted with farmers.

The union minister said the government would provide ₹20,000 under Annadata Sukhibhava. It would also extend additional input subsidy after assessing the crop damage. Dr. Pemmasani said he would pursue with union Home minister Amit Shah the request by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for central assistance.

The union minister asked landowners to ensure that tenant farmers receive the subsidy extended in the wake of the cyclones. Further, he advised cultivators to take crop insurance that would cost a premium of ₹700–₹800 per acre. He said scientists from the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University have been asked to visit cyclone-hit villages and advise farmers on crop protection and disaster management.

Separately, AP Roads and Buildings minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy said Cyclone Murasu has damaged 162.841 km of roads. It has scoured two areas, caused breaches at four places, and damaged five culverts. He pointed out that 201 uprooted trees had been cleared. Of the 73 points where traffic had been disrupted, connectivity has been restored at 34 places.

SPSR Nellore district has reported damage to 66.6 km of roads, followed by NTR district 52.683 km, and West Godavari district 38.572 km. Repairs are estimated to cost ₹143.36 crore.

Janardhan Reddy directed officials to install warning boards at places where breaches have occurred, keep machinery ready for undertaking repairs, and restore connectivity without delay.