Centre's special package for farmers soon: Sonia Gandhi

Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, Sep 27 (UNI) UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said the Centre would announce a special package for farmers in 16 drought affected districts in Andhra Pradesh soon.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here, Ms Gandhi claimed that the farmers suicides have declined in the state after the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh and UPA government at the Centre took several steps for the benefit of farmers.

She alleged that the previous Telugu Desam party (TDP) regime in the state had neglected the rural development, farmers welfare and agriculture.

Appreciating the performance of the Andhra Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, she said ''I was personally reviewing the performance of the government and I am satisfied with the performance the Congress government.

Stating that the UPA Government was committed to extend assistance to complete the pending projects in the State, Ms Gandhi said 72 lakh acres of additional land would come under irrigation after completion the pending projects. She said the State has abundant water resources, which could be utilised properly, once the project works were completed. The Jalayagnam scheme launched by Dr Reddy's Government would turn the State into 'Haritandhra Pradesh' soon, she added.

Appreciating the Government for implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) successfully, which was launched by the Prime Minister on February 17 last in Anantapur district, Ms Gandhi said the UPA Government was committed for the welfare of farmers, workers and all sections of people.

The Chief Minister said the Government has ''realised'' the dreams of the people of Kadapa district by establishing a super speciality hospital and medical college. The Government was striving to develop all backward Telangana, Rayalaseema and Costal Andhra districts, he added.

Stating that the Government would complete the work of Telugu Ganga project at a cost of Rs 1800 crore by next year, Dr Reddy said all pending projects in Rayalaseema region, would also be completed in next two years.

Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Planning P Laxmi, AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and AICC Secretary Iqbal Singh and State Information and Public Relations Minister Mohd Ali Shabbir, were also present.

UNI