YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the state was facing severe drought conditions and alleged that the government had failed to take adequate measures to address the rainfall deficit, irrigation problems and losses suffered by farmers.
Over 51% Rainfall Deficit Across State
Jagan said Andhra Pradesh had recorded a rainfall deficit of more than 51% as of September 16. Of the 688 mandals in the state, 628 were facing rainfall-deficit conditions, while 332 mandals were experiencing severe drought conditions, according to the figures cited by him.
He pointed to particularly high rainfall deficits in several districts, stating that Annamayya recorded a 75% deficit, Sri Sathya Sai 66%, and Prakasam 65%.
Kharif Cultivation Falls by Nearly 20 Lakh Acres
During a video conference with party leaders in Tadepalli, Jagan reviewed the drought situation, irrigation problems and the losses incurred by farmers.
He said kharif cultivation, which would normally cover around 76 lakh acres, had been limited to 56.4 lakh acres this year. As a result, seeds had not been sown in nearly 20 lakh acres, he said.
Jagan further claimed that crops had been damaged even in areas where cultivation had taken place, with farmers suffering losses of around ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per acre.
Jagan Demands Compensation for Farmers
Jagan demanded that the government immediately declare the drought-affected mandals and provide financial assistance to farmers.
He sought:
- ₹15,000 per acre for farmers who could not sow their crops.
- At least ₹25,000 per acre as compensation for farmers who suffered crop losses.
- Restoration of the crop insurance scheme and payment of pending dues.
- Around ₹6,000 crore in input subsidy to farmers.
- An additional 150 days of employment guarantee work in drought-affected areas.
- Immediate measures to ensure drinking water and fodder.
- Continued supply of free agricultural power to farmers.
Government Failed to Divert Srisailam Water to Rayalaseema: Jagan
Jagan alleged that the government had failed to divert Srisailam water to Rayalaseema in time and said immediate steps were needed to address irrigation problems in the drought-hit region.
He also urged the government to focus on providing permanent irrigation solutions instead of concentrating on publicity surrounding projects such as Polavaram, Pushkara and Purushothapatnam.
YSRCP to Launch Statewide Programme on Farmers’ Issues
Jagan said he would personally visit drought-affected areas and interact with farmers to understand their problems.
He also announced that the YSRCP would undertake a statewide programme on farmers’ issues, focusing on drought, irrigation, crop losses, compensation and other problems being faced by the farming community.
