: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday the State government had taken all possible steps to mitigate drought and the onus was on the Central government to assist it in the completion of the Polavaram project, interlinking of rivers and successful implementation of the Neeru-Pragati mission.
At a high-level review meeting with Union Ministers, State Ministers and officials here, Mr. Naidu enquired about the utilisation of Central funds received under the NREGS, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Food Security Mission and the National Horticulture Mission, and instructed the officials to utilise the funds in time.
He said the focus on the primary sector was yielding the desired results and that 10 lakh farmers would be associated with Farmer Producers’ Organisations. A.P. stood second in micro-irrigation farming by providing water to 6.93 lakh hectares.
On Neeru–Pragati, the Chief Minister said the mission had helped in augmenting groundwater table in Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur and Nellore districts. He wanted the officials to include all these details in the power-point presentation to be given to the Prime Minister on May 17.
‘Paltry assistance’
The Chief Minister said that the State government has requested the Centre for a drought assistance of Rs 2,005.56 crore out of which only Rs. 433.77 crore was sanctioned and Rs. 315. 95 crore is released.
The total damage due to untimely rains and heavy floods was estimated to be Rs. 5,129.35 crore and the Centre was requested to provide an assistance of Rs. 3501.63 crore. But the Centre had granted only Rs 280.19 crore.
