'Prajadam' programme advanced by a day

Hyderabad, Apr 6 (UNI) With Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar deciding to hold a meeting of Chief Ministers of four states here on April ten on the issue of farmers' suicide, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today announced he was advancing his ''Prajapadam''programme by a day.

On April nine, he will launch 'Prajapadam' meant to get first hand information on people's problems in Rangareddy, Krishna and Warangal districts.

The Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra will be attending the meeting with Mr Pawar on April ten to finalise a special package for helping the farmers in distress and prevent them from committing suicide.

Admitting the incidence of suicide by farmers was high during the first year of office, Dr Reddy claimed it had come down drastically in the second year.

Problems relating to seven hour power supply to peasants,drinking water supply, issue of ration cards, implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme among others will be resolved during the first phase of ''Prajapatham'' in villages not covered by the INDIRAMMA programme, upto April 28.

During the second phase (May seven to 12) of the programme in villages covered by the INDIRAMMA programme, problems relating to constrcution of houses and distribution of old age pensions will also be resolved.

UNI SM GM 1621