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Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution requesting the Centre to sanction a relief package of Rs 18.6 billion and 2.2 million tonnes of free rice under Food for Work Programme.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, after a three-day debate on the severe drought situation, moved the resolution urging the Centre for help to overcome the grim situation caused by rainfall deficit.
The state has faced a 37 per cent deficit during the southwest monsoon and a 17 per cent shortfall during the northeast monsoon.
The resolution requested for financial assistance, subsidy, provision of fodder, waiving of interest on farm loans, rescheduling of loans and sanction of fresh loans.
Naidu announced a drought relief package worth Rs 2.36 billion in addition to Rs 2.05 billion sanctioned earlier by the state government.
The new allocations under the Food for Work programme include Rs 200 million for drought pensions of Rs 75 each per month to 400,000 people, Rs 500 million for drinking water supply, Rs 300 million for seed supply, Rs one billion for rural roads, Rs 100 million for dairy and veterinary services.
The state would also earmark Rs 12.65 billion from the central government schemes, state schemes and externally funded schemes to generate alternative employment for the agricultural labourers, he said.
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