Collector seeks Rs 27 cr Central aid for drought

Vijayawada, Nov 4: Krishna District Collector Peeyush Kumar, who apprised the two-member Central Team after they came here today to assess the drought conditions in Krishna District, has sought a preliminary Central Assistance of Rs 27 crore to tackle the drought.

Mr Kumar also informed Team Members A K Raina and Joint Director (Expenditure) and Oil Seeds Director Gurumuki about the measures taken by the administration on the drought here.

The Collector informed the team members in 2009-10 only 496.20 mm of rainfall was recorded in the district as against 849 mm due to which except Vijayawada (Urban) Mandal, the State Government had declared rest of the 55 mandals in the district as drought-affected.

The Collector also brought to the notice of the Central Team members an additional assistance of Rs 70 crore was required for taking up the works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the drought-affected areas.

He said crops loans were being rescheduled besides giving one year moratorium for the repayment of loans which would bring relief to the peasants.

The Collector said the banks had been asked to provide crop loans to the farmers for the second crop.

Earlier, the team went round a photo exhibition on the gravity of the drought situation at the Collector Camp Office.

The team later visited Sumkolu and Chatrai Villages to get first hand information about the drought.

West Godavari Collector Vani Prasad also explained to the team members on the drought loss in the district.She also sought Central funds to fight its effect.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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