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Our Bureau

Govt committed to ease farmers' debt burden: CM

Hyderabad , Sept. 14

The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to bring in 20 lakh acres under micro-irrigation in efforts to improve the water efficiency and help farmers particularly in dryland areas.

It would take up appropriate projects with an outlay of Rs 1,744 crore during the three years i.e. from 2006-07 to 2008-09. Ayacuts developed under various irrigation projects such as lift and other projects would be brought under this, according to an official press release.

Out of the total project funding, the Centre's share would be Rs 656 crore and the State share Rs 352 crore. The rest of Rs 736 crore would be either from the bank or beneficiary.

It is proposed to cover 16 stress districts (farmers suicide prone) in an extent of 8 lakh hectares to be covered under lift and other irrigation sources.

The principal crops proposed are fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses and cereals. The Horticulture Department has also chalked out a special package in the stress districts for 2006-07 worth Rs 142.69 crore.

Debt burden

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who reviewed a meeting of various departments said the Government was making efforts to bring down the debt burden of farmers and halt suicides.

A separate bill called moneylenders bill is proposed to be introduced wherein protection of interest of farmers is covered, including fixing the upper limit of interest rate, he said.

Welfare measures

Another Rs 50,000 was announced by the Prime Minister for the affected families from PMRF, free power was sanctioned to all agricultural connections and power dues worth Rs 1,200 crore were waived, a bill on moratorium for six months on private moneylenders was passed by State Legislative Assembly (July 2004), two years of moratorium on institutional credit recovery by commercial banks declared by the Union Government , the release added.

More Stories on : Cultivation | Andhra Pradesh

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