YSR seeks RS 2000 crore under AIBP

New Delhi, Jun 19: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has sought Central assistance of Rs 2000 crore under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme for 2008-09 during his meeting with Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

In his meeting with the FM yesterday, Dr Reddy apprised him that his state was the leading the country in utilisation of AIBP funds and contributing for creation of 25 per cent of Irrigation potential contemplated under Bharat Nirman through the massive programme of Jalayagnam for creating irrigation facilities in 100 lakh acres.

The Chief Minister also sought exemption of Counter Vailing Duty (CVD) and waiver of Export Obligation on HTST machinery imported by A.P. Dairy Development Cooperative Federation.

During his meeting with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar requested the Centre to announce the MSP for Paddy and other crops for Khariff 2008 at the earliest. He also brought to his notice about both houses of Andhra Legislature passing an unanimous resolution urging the Centre to fix the MSP of important crops at 50% over and above the cost of production fixed by the Commission on Agriculture Costs and Prices team which had determined the costs in the state after due deliberations with the government and the experts.

He also sought restoration of allocation of 3,18,287 mts. of Rice per month to Andhra Pradesh to fulfill the Government's commitment for food and nutritional security to BPL families. He reminded that the state was distributing rice at Rs. 2.00 per Kg from April 2008 for ensuring food and nutritional security under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) to the BPL families.

UNI