AP likely to get Rs 50,000 crore package for distressed farmers

Hyderabad, July 20 (UNI) Close on the heels of the package announced by the Centre for families of farmers forced to commit suicide in Vidarbha region, their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh will get a comprehensive Rs 50,000 crore package to pull out the distressed farmers from crisis.

Ahead of his visit to New Delhi to finalise the state's 11th plan, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy told reporters here today that the package included Rs 40,000 crore for improving irrigation facilities to remove uncertainities faced by rain-fed farmers.

Interest waiver on loans advanced to farmers, assistance to the watershed development and drip irrigation programmes would form part of the package, the cost of which would be shared by the Union and State Governments, he said.

The State Government had earlier sought Rs 60,000 crore from the Centre for irrigation projects and had scaled it down as Central clearances were yet to be granted for some of the projects, he said, adding that crop loans to farmers had been stepped up to Rs 4000 crore from Rs 3000 crore last year.

Asserting that irrigation facility would be created to provide water for 7.50 lakh acres during this Khariff without fail, he opined that a section of the press was blowing out of proportion ''minor problems'' in the implementation of 17 projects.

Later, Mr Hiralal Samaria, Secretary incharge of Telangana Irrigation Projects admitted problems in implementation of the Devadula Project and said water to an additional 35,000 acres would be made available through Sriramsagar Second Stage Project.

Irrigation Advisor P Seetapathi and R R Mishra, incharge of Rayalseema irrigation projects expressed confidence that water would be ensured under these projects as per schedule.

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