Steps taken to tackle drought: CM

Hyderabad, Aug 20 :

 The state government has taken all possible measures to tackle the prevailing drought situation in some parts of the state, stated Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Making a statement on the drought in the House, he said that the Government was taking all required steps to address the problems of farmers.

He asked the political parties not to politicise the drought issue in the Assembly for getting mileage.

Earlier, the government has planned to announce the drought hit areas list in the state on August 2. However, it postponed it due to some problems, he pointed out.

But the government is closely monitoring the situation arising out of deficient rainfall and taking required steps to address the problems, he reiterated.

The government is daily conducting meetings with district collectors and asked them to use substantial portion of money released under Backward Regions Growth Fund for drinking water purposes, he pointed out

He stated that the government had already initiated various steps, including seed availability and taking up works under National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme(NREGS). Besides, the Government will extend crop insurance scheme to all districts in the State, he added.

He said the government so far waived Rs 17,000 crore loans of farmers and the Centre is ready to give Rs 2,000 crore to take up works under NREGS. He said the government has provided employment to 50 lakh rural people under NREGS.

Because of God’s grace, the state has received copious rains this year, he remarked. He appealed to farmers not to take extreme steps and be confident in tackling drought boldly.