Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday said though his government was unable to check the Phailin cyclone, it was in a position to stop ‘bifurcation cyclone’ with the support of the people of Seemandhra region.
Addressing a public meeting at Kaviti in Srikakulam district, Mr. Reddy said: “This is not the right time to speak about the Samaikyandhra movement. But one thing I can say is that we are sure to stop this division cyclone as it will cause an irreparable loss to the State.” This was greeted by a burst of applause from the people attending the meeting.
His comments assume significance as he made the statement in public while his earlier comments in support of Samaikyandhra movement were indirect and confined to press meets. At the same time, he evaded questions from the media about the division of the State at the press meet on Sunday and confined himself to responding to those pertaining to cyclone and relief measures.
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Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Donkuru, Kaviti, Itchapuram areas where the cyclone wreaked havoc. After making an aerial survey of Uddanam region, he reached Donkuru in the morning and announced a Rs. 40-crore package to the fishermen community. He also announced Rs.1 crore for fish landing centre at Donkuru.
Reacting to the suggestions from fishermen community leaders Baddu Rajarao and Krishna Rao, he said the government would consider extending subsidy on diesel to run motor boats.
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At Kaviti, he interacted with coconut farmers and gave an assurance to them to complete enumeration as early as possible by utilising services of 30 horticulture teams. Union Minister of State for Communication Killi Kruparani and former minister Dharmana Prasada Rao sought immediate relief to the coconut farmers who lost their livelihood with coconut trees on 25,000 acres being damaged.
Youth Congress leader Rajanikumar Dalai sought compensation of Rs.5,000 for each coconut tree lost. Later reviewing the cyclone damage in Itchapuram, he directed district Collector Saurabh Gaur to send senior officials to verify enumeration done so far to ensure that there are no complaints.
The Chief Minister did not give concrete assurance over the quantum of input subsidy while merely saying that it would satisfy the victims of the Phailin cyclone.