Andhra CM Naidu seeks expanded relief package for drought‑stricken farmers

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked the Centre for a relief package for Andhra Pradesh’s drought‑hit farmers. He told the Inter‑Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) that 412 mandals across 21 districts have been declared drought‑affected and that the state will submit a crop‑loss report to the Centre within a week.

Demands

Naidu wants the minimum guaranteed employment under the VB‑G RAM‑G scheme raised to 200 days and its scope widened to include agricultural work, aiming to ease labour shortages and boost rural jobs. He urged the government to issue ration cards to eligible families, noting that during a previous Rayalaseema drought farmers with ten acres received cards. The chief minister also called for rescheduling of agricultural loans, faster settlement of crop‑insurance claims with direct bank transfers, and continuation of the state‑provided input subsidy. Citing a sharp fall in groundwater levels, he asked for an expansion of the Jal Jeevan Mission to develop and link rural water sources. Naidu highlighted the need for adequate drinking water and fodder supplies for livestock affected by the drought. The IMCT visited Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts on Nov 2‑3 to assess conditions. Naidu said deficient rainfall and prolonged dry spells have badly hit kharif crops, with Rayalaseema facing water and fodder shortages and Anantapur recording the nation’s second‑lowest rainfall. He stressed that any assistance must consider both the drought in interior districts and cyclone damage on the coast.

Context

Drought relief in India often involves schemes like VB‑G RAM‑G and Jal Jeevan Mission, which aim to provide employment and improve water infrastructure in vulnerable rural areas.