Contrary to the claims of the Chandrababu Naidu government, a greater part of the restoration work in the aftermath of Hudhud remains to be done and the pitfalls in the identification of beneficiaries and assessment of losses can be avoided by involving all political parties, trade unions and organisations working at the ground-level, according to Communist Party of India (Marxist), Andhra Pradesh Committee, secretary P. Madhu.
No relief was announced to banana farmers, who had lost their crop mostly in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts and to a lesser extent in Visakhapatnam. The banana farmers had invested Rs.40,000 an acre. Similarly, silver oak and coffee plantations were lost in the tribal areas but no announcement was made for sustenance of the livelihood of the tribal people, Mr. Madhu told the media here on Friday.
The ‘special package’, which was announced to north Andhra at the time of bifurcation, would come in hand for the revival of the industries, which were hit by the fury of the cyclone, he said and demanded categorisation of Hudhud as a ‘national calamity’ and extension of relief to all those affected by it, irrespective of the extent of damage.
He criticised the State Government for planning to take up restoration works like laying underground power cables with World Bank funds. Instead of placing the future of the city in the hands of Indian and foreign corporates, the Centre should be approached for funds, he felt.
