Congress seeks immediate disbursal of crop loss compensation for cyclone-hit farmers in State

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji on Wednesday appealed to the State government to ensure immediate disbursal of crop loss compensation to the farmers affected by Cyclone Montha before the rainwater is drained out of their fields.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Shivaji said that ryots, especially paddy farmers, bore the brunt of the cyclone’s devastation, as paddy crops spread over several lakh acres were submerged. “The government should take steps to disburse crop loss compensation as early as possible, before the rainwater is drained out of the fields. The enumeration of crop loss should be completed within the next few days,” he demanded.

Mr. Shivaji said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already assured Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that the Centre would extend all possible support to the State, and urged Mr. Naidu to seek the immediate release of ₹2,000 crore in financial aid to help farmers who suffered huge losses due to Cyclone Montha.

He further said the government should assist farmers in the cyclone-hit districts to raise their second crop after clearing the damaged fields.