Ministers’ whirlwind visit earns ire of rain victims

Four days after flash floods caused by heavy rain ravaged various parts of the district due to the two ministers of the district – TG Venkatesh and Erasu Pratap Reddy - visited on Sunday along with District Collector C Sudarsan Reddy the flood-affected Atmakuru division just for the sake of it.

The local Congress leaders setting aside the itinerary prepared by the Revenue officials, took the two ministers in their respective areas. Like a vote-seeking campaign, the ministers have gone on a whirlwind tour.

The ministers’ convoy moved on concrete roads leaving aside the flood-affected damaged roads and areas.

Minister Erasu Pratap Reddy who was supposed to console the flood victims and farmers who suffered heavy loss due to the untimely rain has chosen to attend the condolence meeting of a party worker drawing criticism from people. The visit to Indiranagar, Dalit colonies, Muslim minority colonies was just for namesake. Even the Revenue officials turned impatient with the attitude of the local Congress leaders who had misled the ministers.

The ministers talked to the maize farmers and observed the damaged maize crop. In all the ministers’ tour was concluded in one and half hours.

The Ministers, Erasu and TG Venkatesh addressing the meeting said that the Government would release Rs. 2 crore for the division.

The District Collector stating crops in 16,000 hectares were damaged, has announced the compensation of Rs. 10,400 for one hectare of paddy and Rs. 8,300 for maize and Rs. 6,200 for millets. He also said that 30,000 quintals of maize was completely damaged. The collector assured that the discoloured paddy would be purchased. He has issued a cheque for Rs. 35,000 to a person whose house collapsed due to the downpour.