The Hindu : Front Page : Shocked by realities, Manmohan announces aid

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Friday, Jul 02, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

Shocked by realities, Manmohan announces aid

By Dasu Kesava Rao

HYDERABAD, JULY 1. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who flew into Andhra Pradesh today for a first-hand assessment of the crisis in the farm sector, met the families of farmers who had committed suicide, and announced concessions.

He announced an assistance of Rs. 2 lakhs to each family whose breadwinner committed suicide, job for one member in the family, and houses under the Indira Awas Yojana with safe drinking water, roads, school buildings and other community needs. The Centre is to contribute Rs. 50,000 in each case.

Dr. Singh met members of bereaved families and other farmers in distress at Somayajulapalli in Kurnool district — where 51 farmers had committed suicide since 1998 — and later at Dharmapur in the neighbouring drought-prone district of Mahbubnagar, which saw 13 suicides in the last six weeks.

The Prime Minister's Office will directly monitor the rehabilitation programmes, Dr. Singh said.

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