HYDERABAD: The government is looking towards the Centre for relief as 865 mandals in the state are reeling under severe drought.Making a statement on drought during a short discussion in the Assembly on the issue on Saturday, revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy said a detailed report on drought in the state would be sent to the Centre in the first fortnight of this month seeking liberal aid. “A detailed memorandum on the drought situation in the state would be prepared. It would also contain the details of drought relief measures initiated by the state government. The memorandum will be submitted to the Union Ministry of Agriculture in the first fortnight of December. Afterwards, a Central team is likely to visit the state to assess the situation,” the minister said.Enumeration of the affected farmers who suffered crop loss due to the prevailing drought is in the final stages of completion. Enumeration work has already been completed in about 10 districts. Computerisation of the list of affected farmers is in progress. The lists of farmers whose crop was damaged due to drought, will be displayed on the notice boards of gram panchayats as directed by the Centre. This is to ensure transparency in enumeration of crop loss and disbursement of input subsidy to the drought- affected farmers, he said. The entire enumeration process will be completed by the second week of December. It could not be completed in some Telangana districts due to Sakala Janula Samme, he said.Initiating the debate on drought, TDP MLA Ravula Chandrasekhara Reddy found fault with the state government for not providing any help to the affected farmers. “Why are you waiting for the Central assistance? The state government should spend some amount from its budget towards immediate relief to the affected,” Ravula said.The MLA said the statement made by the revenue minister on drought was full of statistics. It lacked clarity on drought relief measures initiated by the state government to rescue the affected farmers. He also criticised the government for its ‘failure’ to take up cloud seeding this year when the entire state is reeling under dry spell.“Some ministers performed pujas at major reservoirs when they overflowed. But, farmers in many parts of the state did not get water to irrigate their lands. The farmers in several districts declared crop holiday in kharif as they felt that agriculture was no more remunerative for them,” Ravula said.
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