Delegates from Trinidad and Tobago call on AP CM

Hyderabad, Feb 24 (UNI) A Parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, headed by Speaker of the House of Representatives Barendra Sinnan, today had a luncheon meeting with Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy here.

Assembly Speaker K R Suresh Reddy hosted the lunch.

Answering queries from the delegation, the Chief Minister described agriculture as the mainstay of Andhra Pradesh economy and said the State Government's effort was to make agriculture sustainable and remunerative.

He said the primary focus and priority of his government was to ensure that water reached all agricultural fields in the state as it is the lifeline for agriculture.

The Speaker told the delegation that the state government, under the stewardship of Mr Reddy, had undertaken irrigation projects on a massive scale and allocated a major part of the budget for irrigation.

When asked about the incentives being given by the state government to farmers, the Chief Minister said farmers were given loans at very low interest rates, free power, input subsidy, seed replacements, among other things.

When the delegation informed that inflation in their country was ten per cent, the Chief Minister said it was around seven per cent in Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said the government was taking various steps like market intervention to control prices of essential commodities.

The delegation lauded the impressive growth of Indian economy in general and the State economy in particular. They also hailed the impressive progress made by Andhra Pradesh, particularly Hyderabad.

Dr Reddy informed the delegation that the state government was focussing on the welfare of about 10 million farmers.

The delegation comprised President of Senate Linda Baboolal, Minister of State for Community Development and Culture Edward Hart, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Leader of Opposition Kamla Prasad-Bassessar and Clerk of Senate Mr Neil Jaggassar. The delegates, were treated to the famous Hyderabad; biryani, among other delicacies.

UNI