The Hindu Business Line : Kerala seeks urgent Central aid

Thiruvananthapuram, March 20 The Kerala Government has sought urgent financial assistance from the Centre to meet the situation arising out of severe damage to standing paddy crop caused by summer rains.

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, has also asked the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to send a central team to the State to assess the damage caused to paddy and other crops by the rains.

In a fax message to the Prime Minister, Mr Achuthanandan has pointed out that the State has suffered heavy agricultural and other losses due to continuing widespread summer rains since March 12. According to preliminary estimates, the loss amounted to Rs 50 crore till date.

More loss likely

Paddy crops due for harvesting has been completed damaged over 20,000 acres and the loss is likely to go up further.

The maximum damage to paddy crops has been reported from Kuttanad and Thrissur, Kottayam and northern districts, the Chief Minister has said in his letter.

Apart from paddy, the rains have caused damage to other crops as well and taken the lives of four people.

It is for the first time in the history of the State that summer rains have wreaked such a widespread havoc and the State Government has sanctioned Rs 12 crore as an initial measure to tide over the serious situation, says the letter.

The Chief Minister has also sent letters to the Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patel, and the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, asking for maximum central aid.

More Stories on : Rice | Climate & Weather | Kerala

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Kerala seeks urgent Central aid

‘Low’ forms, to drift along southwest coast

Orphans of the motherland?

Inflation spurts to 10-month high on rising food costs

Rubber futures turn weak

CCEA approves SMP for sugarcane

Govt provides financial relief to tea growers

Icrisat setting up $5.25 m bio-food knowledge centre

Marginal fall in pepper futures

Pepper harvest hit by extended showers

Customs duty on cooking oils slashed

Tea Board signs pact with NSE arm for e-auction

‘Slow pace of farm growth a cause for concern’