While declaring 96 more mandals in the State as drought-affected, the Andhra Pradesh Government announced a total relief package of about Rs 1,500 crore to people in the affected parts of the State.

This overall package announced today after the State Cabinet meeting is expected to cover funds required for input farm subsidy during the rabi crop season, reschedule of crop loans and issue of fresh loans wherever necessary and applicable.

The Cabinet also decided to increase the number of wage days eligible under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme due to the adverse seasonal conditions. This normally affects the work potential in a local area. The Government believes that migration of people from the affected parts of the State to urban areas or other parts where job prospects are brighter could be limited by providing local jobs through the employment guarantee scheme.

Following another review meeting, the Government has decided to declare 96 more mandals as drought affected thereby taking the total number of mandals affected by drought in the State to 868. All the mandals in 12 districts of the State have been declared as drought affected. These are Mahbubnagar, Anantapur, Medak, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, Prakasham, Kurnool, Adilabad, Warangal, Kadapa, Khammam and Rangareddy districts.

During the Cabinet meet it was decided to lay special thrust on the affected parts of the State and ensure that they get maximum support in coming out of the tough situation by extending financial and other support to tide over the situation.

vrishi@thehindu.co.in

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