AP Govt to increase palm cultivation area: CM

Alwaraopet, Andhra Pradsesh, Jan 27 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekahar Reddy today said his Government will take steps to increase the area under palm cultivation to another 60,000 acres next year.

Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for the expansion of the Palm Oil processing unit at a cost of Rs two crore here, he said palm was now being cultivated in an area of 1.70 lakh acres in the State, particularly in the West Godavari and Khammam districts.

Dr Reddy said the State Government was committed to the welfare of the farmers and will provide loans for ryots at three per cent interest to take up ancillary programmes like cattle rearing, poultry and fishing in addition to agriculture and horticulture for their financial development.

He said water will be provided for irrigation to four lakh acres in Khammam district once the Indira Sagar and Rajiv Sagar lift rpt lift irrigation schemes were completed.

Dr Reddy said that as part of its efforts to launch welfare schemes for women to improve their economic condition, the Government proposed to provide Rs 7,000 crore for DWACRA women.

The Chief Minsiter distributed house site pattas for 326 beneficiaries and laid the fondation stone for building a women's federation office at a cost of Rs two lakh and a 30-bed hospital costing Rs 50.69 lakh here.

He also laid the foundation stone for proteced water supply scheme at Parayagudem at a cost of Rs two crore, summer storage tank at Gummadapalli village costing Rs two crore and 21st century Gurukul school at a cost of Rs 40 crore.

UNI BR GD AK AS1705