Input subsidies to farmers post completion of enumeration for Michaung cyclone damage

Vijayawada: Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy has directed the district collectors to take action on a war footing to restore normalcy after the cyclone hit the state this week.

He advised the collectors to make early assessment of crop damage due to the cyclone.

During a review meeting he held in virtual mode with the district collectors from the secretariat on Thursday, he reviewed issues like power supply, restoration of roads, drinking water facility, assessment of crop losses, etc.

Jawahar Reddy said that with the approval of chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, a letter will be sent to the central government seeking the dispatch of a central team to the AP to assess the damage caused by the storm.

“According to the preliminary estimate, 1,45,795 hectares of paddy and 31,498 hectares of various horticultural crops have been damaged. Once the enumeration process is completed, input subsidy will be provided to those whose crops have been damaged and 100 per cent insurance facility will be provided,” he said.

“Similarly, a letter will be written to the Centre for relaxation of rules related to collection of stained and discoloured grains.”

Special chief secretary to the revenue department, Sai Prasad, said that till now 9,321 families affected by the cyclone and moved to the relief camps have been given assistance at the rate of '2,500 per family. Similarly, out of the 1.1 lakh families affected by the cyclone, 65,256 families have been distributed 25kg of rice, 1kg dal, 1kg palm oil, 1kg onions and 1kg potatoes. The other families will also be provided these quickly, he said.

Special principal secretary, agriculture, Gopalakrishna Dwivedi, said that according to the preliminary estimate, 92, 577 hectares of paddy went under water and 53, 218 hectares of standing paddy have fallen to the ground due to the cyclone.

The enumeration process for crop damage estimation would be started from Dec 11.

Similarly, it was explained that 31, 498 hectares of horticultural crops such as banana and papaya have also been damaged. Steps would be taken to provide 100 per cent insurance for all the damaged crops. The enumeration process would be completed by Friday evening and steps would be taken to provide compensation as per the rules to the victims who have lost livestock, boats and nets.

Special chief secretary to the energy department K Vijayanand said 33 KV feeders 210 and 11 KV feeders 1581 were affected in nine districts. Similarly 33 KV poles damaged were 379 and 11 KV, 1592 poles and 2481 LT poles were damaged in 9 districts.

He said the restoration work was going on at a swift pace. Power supply has been interrupted in 3,292 villages and supply has been restored to 3,111 villages and the remaining 181 villages would soon get the supply restored.