Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

Plea to save Anantapur dt. from desertification

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD March 5. The Congress MLA from Anantapur, J.C. Diwakar Reddy, demanded here on Wednesday a special package for the district so that the feared `desertification' of the district could be prevented.

Participating in a short discussion on the drought situation in the Assembly, he suggested that the Government amend the relevant Act, if necessary, to provide for compulsory use of drip and sprinkler irrigation for farming operations.

He criticised the Government for not taking adequate steps to counter the drought. The situation was so bad that even the Krishna and the Godavari districts were affected. Fish tanks in these districts had gone dry and the affected people were committing suicide.

The former Minister said the Government, which had already incurred heavy debts, should go in for a loan of Rs. 25,000 crores for taking up irrigation projects utilising Godavari waters.

These projects would benefit both the Telangana and Rayalaseema regions, he emphasised.

M. Dharma Rao (BJP) feared that with 50 per cent of the over 20 lakh agricultural pumpsets throughout the State going dry water shortage would become serious.

He urged the Government to prevent migration of people, particularly from Telangana districts, and distress sale of cattle by providing employment to them under the Food-for-work programme.

Mr. Rao called for increased allocation of rice to people below the poverty line in the coming months.

He said the Government should secure from the Centre 100 per cent waiver of interest on farm loans and sanction 40 lakh drought pensions in the ensuing six months so that small and marginal farmers could benefit.

N. Narsimhaiah (CPI(M)) faulted the Revenue Minister for releasing a lengthy report on drought without detailing the steps to tackle it.

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