APCC asks Central team to expedite steps to save drought-affected

Hyderabad, Nov 6 : The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today requested the Central team, assessing the damage caused by drought in 981 mandals of 22 districts, to expedite steps to save affected farmers, artisans, agricultural labourers of the state.

In a memorandum submitted to the team, led by Agriculture Joint Secretary Upma Chowdary, a copy of which was released to the media here, the APCC said 981 mandals of 22 districts out of 1,128 mandals in 23 districts faced severe drought conditions during kharif season of 2009.

The agricultural production was badly affected and subsequently resulted in damage to horticulture, rural drinking water supply, animal husbandry and rural employment scope. Paddy and widely sowed cotton and other commercial crops were severely damaged. The serious scarcity of foodgrains and fodder to livestock has become a huge problem to be tackled at the state government level, with its limited resources.

The State Government has already released Rs 471 crore towards input subsidy in the drought-hit areas to help small and marginal farmers.

--UNI

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