Aid sought for farmers in drought-hit districts

Anantapur: CPI district secretary D Jagadish has lambasted Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for ignoring the severe drought conditions in seven districts including Anantapur in the state. Addressing a press conference at the party office here on Thursday, Jagadish said that agriculture is in distress with drought ruling the roost in a section of the state.

There is now sowing operations so far in the district due to the failure of monsoon in the district. He demanded the Chief Minister to visit the drought-hit districts and announce relief measures. He also demanded that the Assembly to debate on drought conditions on a priority basis. The CPI leader alleged that the district Ministers and MLAs are not opening their mouth on the drought issue.

If the government does not respond to the farm crisis, there would be mass migration and farmers’ suicides. He demanded payment of compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre. The CPI found fault with the YSRCP for boycotting Assembly and doing dis-service to people. Local leaders Narayana Swamy, Raja Reddy and Keshav Reddy were present.