AP Govt to spend Rs 22,000 cr on agri sector: YSR

Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, June 7 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said his government would expend Rs 22,000 crores for agriculture development this year.

Inaugurating a tobacco auction centre at Jangareddigudem Village in West Godavari District, about 60 km from here, Dr Reddy said his government was a farmer-oriented one and favoured the ryots.

Later, participating in 'Rythu Sadassu' (farmers meeting), Dr Reddy accused the previous Telugu Desam Government of neglecting the farmers during its regime.

He said the state government has committed to supply irrigation water to 1 crore acre at the cost of Rs 1 lakh crore by taking up various irrigation projects in a big way.

Last year, the government successfully provided irrigation water to 12 lakh acre in the state. With a view to increasing ryots' income, the government was also encouraging animal husbandry.

Dr Reddy also called upon the farmers to take up horticulture crops and said the goverment would grant Stamp Duty exemption on agricultural loans of above Rs e lakh.

UNI