Welfare of farmers, TD priority: Minister

Chittoor: TD government has waived crop loan of Rs 24,000 crore despite state being in financial deficit of Rs 16,000 crore to protect the interests of the farmers, said Industries Minister N Amaranatha Reddy.

Addressing a meeting at Musalimadugu village in Palamaner mandal on Monday, the Minister declared Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is committed to welfare of farmers. He has stated Chandrababu had noticed the plight of the farmers in the state during his padayatra when he was Opposition leader and announced several welfare schemes for the farming community after TD government came to power in 2014.

He mentioned the last instalment of farm debt waiver scheme would be credited to the accounts of farmers by the end of the year in a transparent way. He assured farmers of supplying continuous quality power for farming sector.

All eligible beneficiaries would be sanctioned pensions without discrimination, the Minister said, adding the government wants to ensure a monthly income of Rs 10,000 to each family in the state.

He gave credit to Naidu government for hiking old age pension from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 per month. Referring to the industrial growth in the state, Amaranatha Reddy said several industrialists from India and abroad were establishing their units in the state reposing the faith in the TD government.

He gave a call to enthusiastic industrialists to set up industries in Andhra Pradesh as state government is giving permission within days and creating all facilities to them. Reddy said HNSS water would be diverted to western parts of the district within few months to meet agriculture needs. Chittoor RDO Kodandarami Reddy, TDP leaders and officials were present.