Flood relief: Shivraj Chouhan promises Rs 3,448cr to AP from disaster relief fund

Vijayawada: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has promised to seek release of an immediate assistance of Rs 3,448 crore from the State Disaster Relief Fund, including the Centre’s share, to enable Andhra Pradesh tide over the floods-related crisis situation.

The Union minister inspected the crops affected by rains and floods at Kesarapalli village of Gannavaram mandal in Krishna district on the second day of his tour of the affected areas. Chouhan interacted with the farmers.

“Farmers suffered a lot. I saw tears in the eyes of the chief minister,” he said.

The farmers explained to Chouhan the extent of losses they suffered. He consoled them and said, “I came to know that crops have been under inundation for nine days. We want to help the farmers and also those who do farming on lease. I too am from a farming family. I understand your plight. You have invested a lot and sadly it was all lost.”

The Union minister said he was visiting AP based on advice from the prime minister. “We have four priorities now, namely to help the farmers, to ensure they get the benefit of crop insurance, to help those who have taken up farming on lease, and to help them take all up work on the next crop,” he said.

He criticised the previous YSR Congress government, saying it had failed to pay the premium for the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.

The Union minister visited a photo exhibition that displayed images of crops loss. He planted a sapling to mark his visit.

Union minister of state for rural development Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, state BJP chief and MP, D Purandeswari, state ministers K Atchannaidu, Kollu Ravindra, MLA Sujana Choudhary and others were present.