CPI(M) demands ₹1 lakh crore relief package for drought-stricken Andhra Pradesh farmers

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called on the Union government to release a special financial package worth ₹1 lakh crore to address the acute drought conditions gripping Andhra Pradesh and deliver relief to farmers, tenant cultivators and agricultural labourers across the state.

Massive crop failure reported

Party State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao told reporters at a press conference in Vijayawada that nearly 80% of kharif crops had not been sown this season, while crops in areas where cultivation was attempted had suffered extensive damage. The press conference took place on Sunday.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao put the state's total crop losses at ₹5.40 lakh crore, with Anantapur district alone accounting for ₹1,000 crore in damages. He pressed for the immediate declaration of drought-affected mandals and the disbursement of ₹50,000 to each family of farmers, tenant farmers and agricultural workers as drought relief. The Centre should additionally provide funds for loan waiver and other relief measures, he said.

Delta farmers anxious over water, power supply

Farmers cultivating in the Krishna and Godavari delta regions were gripped by anxiety over the availability of irrigation water, the CPI(M) leader said. Unscheduled power cuts were compounding their distress by disrupting agricultural borewells, he added. Tenant farmers who had paid rent but could not proceed with cultivation were being pushed deeper into debt, he pointed out.

Interest waiver, essential commodities sought

The party leader also demanded that the government waive interest on loans taken by women self-help group members affected by the drought. He urged the administration to distribute eight essential commodities, rice, sugar, edible oil, tamarind, chilli, onions, red gram and wheat flour, through the public distribution system to cushion households against rising prices.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao criticised the ₹2-per-litre increase in Vijaya Dairy milk prices and demanded its withdrawal. He also sought an extension of the deadline for new pension applications and immediate sanction of pensions to eligible beneficiaries.

CPI(M) State secretariat member Y. Venkateswara Rao demanded that the Election Commission ensure eligible voters were not denied their voting right because of errors in electoral records. He also called for an immediate dialogue with protesting paramedical students and an increase in their stipend.

Source: The Hindu