Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy on Tuesday said the duration of power cuts would be increased in Hyderabad and other parts in the State to save the standing crop.
Speaking to officials at a review meeting in the district here on Tuesday, Mr. Srinivas Reddy said the government was purchasing power worth Rs. 9 crore per day and was prepared to spend an additional Rs. 10 crore. There was acute shortage of power available and hence the power cuts. “The standing crop is in a crucial stage. We need to protect it. At present, despite best efforts, there is only four-hour power supply to farmers,” he said.
The Minister urged the domestic and other consumers to put up with the inconvenience for some time in the interest of the farming community.
Fertilizer availabilityAccording to him, 82 per cent of the total irrigable 5.12 lakh hectares was sown in Warangal district despite deficit rainfall. He said there was no fertilizer scarcity in the State. On loan waiver, the Minister said the government sanctioned Rs. 1,885 crore to benefit 4.13 lakh farmers in Warangal. Of it, a sum of Rs 472 crore was already released in the first phase.
He urged the officials to work with commitment and improve productivity in various departments such as fisheries, animal husbandry, dairy and others.
