Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed the confidence on Sunday that the storm engulfing the State over the bifurcation of the State could be weathered with the support of farmers, employees, students and other sections of people.

He made the remark while touring the Srikakulam district, which was hit by Cyclone Phailin.

The Chief Minister was interacting with farmers at Kaviti village. “Though it is not the appropriate time, I want to tell you that it should be possible to prevent the bifurcation of the State with your support. Wherever I go, people are asking me about it. So I want to tell you it is possible to weather the storm. We cannot prevent natural calamities. But we can, and should, prevent political calamities,” he said.

Cyclone relief

He said the government had undertaken large-scale evacuation of people in the vulnerable areas and therefore the loss of life could be minimised, notwithstanding the intensity of the storm. He congratulated the district administration for the prompt response. The striking employees had also cooperated and participated in the rescue efforts.

He said all steps would be taken to render help to farmers and other sections hit by the cyclone. He said coconut farmers in the district in particular were badly hit by the cyclone. Compensation and input subsidy would be given to them and other farmers after assessing the loss. He said he had left instructions with the officials to expedite the process.

Reddy said a special package would be announced for fishermen hit by the cyclone and all those who had lost houses in the cyclone would be given aid to build new houses. Power supply to more than 800 villages in the district had been disrupted after the cyclone and it was restored on a war-footing, he said.

At Kaviti village, the farmers requested the Chief Minister to expedite the process of giving compensation and input subsidy. It was also pointed out to the Chief Minister that the Odisha Government was offering more compensation to the farmers hit by the cyclone. The Chief Minister said such comparisons may be misleading as conditions in each State differed.

> sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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