The Telugu Desam Party has demanded that the Centre include Andhra Pradesh in the drought-affected states’ list and extend a relief package to it immediately.

“More than 400 mandals (tehsils) in the State are reeling under drought but the Central Government has turned a blind eye yet again towards Andhra Pradesh,” the TDP politburo member, Mr Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, said in a statement today.

Half of Andhra Pradesh is facing a drought situation this season due to deficit rainfall. While the overall rainfall deficit in the State is four per cent from June 1 to July 31, about 12 districts recorded a deficit of up to 27 per cent.

“The UPA Government has been grossly discriminating against Andhra Pradesh in the last eight years despite various natural calamities hitting the State. The Centre has been showing a lot of bias against Andhra Pradesh in extending financial assistance for disaster relief measures.

“While the State Government sought Rs 50,000 crore towards disaster relief in the last eight years, the Centre did not release even Rs 2,000 crore,” Mr Yanamala said.

The TDP leader demanded that the Centre also include Andhra Pradesh in the drought-hit list and extend financial assistance to affected mandals.

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