Putting the loss due to the worst-ever drought in Prakasam district during 2014 Kharif at Rs 562.39 crore, the district administration on Wednesday urged a three-member Central team to recommend for a liberal Central assistance to overcome acute shortage of water and fodder in the district.
Making a power-point presentation, Collector G.S.R.K.R. Vijaykumar said as against the normal rainfall of 782 mm, the district received 47 per cent deficit rainfall, the lowest in 45 years. Projecting the requirement for fodder supply to save cattle at Rs 12.90 crore, he said the district administration had incurred Rs 16.32 crore on rural water supply works and Rs 5.87 crore for transportation of water in urban areas.
The team led by Union Animal Husbandry Deputy Secretary P.C. Chakraborthy wanted the administration to give mandal-wise break-up of agriculture and horticulture losses. Another team member Dr. P. Gowri Shankar Rao, Joint Director, Central Department of Expenditure, said the State had put the loss in the district at only Rs 67.43 crore. He asked the district administration to submit a revised memorandum on the loss through the State Government early.
Submitting a memorandum to the Central team, CPI (M) district secretary P. Anjaneyulu sought liberal central assistance for drought relief works. CPI (ML) New Democracy district Secretary Ch. Venkateswarulu and CPI district secretary K. Aruna met the team members.
