GUNTUR: The Horticulture Department has distributed Rs. 2.39 crores as input subsidy to farmers in the district, whose crops were damaged due to floods in September last, said Assistant Director of Horticulture K. Balaji Naik.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, he said that 7,139.82 hectares of land in 114 villages across 27 mandals in the district were identified as affected . The cheque distribution process was in its final stages.

Worst-hit

Kolluru mandal was the worst affected with 1,776 hectares, followed by Bhattiprolu with 1,044 hectares, Thulluru with 971 hectares, Pedanandipadu with 754 and Tadepalli mandal with 549 hectares.

Banana plantations were damaged in 1,831 hectares, while it was 1,583 hectares for turmeric, 1,301 hectares for chillies, 858 hectares for yam. Other vegetables and crops, which suffered considerable damage were onion, betelvine, acid lime, flowers and papaya.

About 17,000 farmers were given input subsidies. "However, subsidies were not given to the farmers of chillies grown in nurseries and aromatic/medicinal plants according to the policy of the Government," he said.

Regarding the alleged misuse of the cheques by lower-level officials during the distribution of crop input subsidy in Raipudi village of Thulluru mandal in the district, Mr. Naik said that an enquiry was conducted and the report will soon be submitted to the district Collector.

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