Srikakulam: Telugu Desam Party chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday apportioned major part of the blame for the hardships being faced by flood-affected people to the `criminal negligence, inexcusable inefficiency and a lack of vision on the part of the State Government.'

"It was man-made," he said speaking to media persons at the guesthouse here. Justifying his charge, the former Chief Minister observed that July and August were crucial for the kharif season and heavy rain had been forecast.

It was the duty of the Government to initiate steps to prevent calamities by strengthening embankments, closing breaches caused by previous floods and cautioning the public. None of this had been done by the present Government, he claimed.

Call for succour

Mr. Naidu along with other TDP leaders, MP Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu and deputy leader of TDLP Kimidi Kalavenkata Rao, visited flood-affected areas in Palakonda division of Srikakulam district on Tuesday. He pointed out the large-scale loss of property and lives due to floods in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East and West Godavari, Khammam and Adilabad districts and recalled how his Government had extended succour to all flood victims promptly.

Financial assistance

He came down heavily on the Government for reducing financial assistance for those whose houses had been damaged from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 1200 and for utensils from Rs. 350 to 250. The G.O. for extending help to damaged houses was issued some ten years back and if any thing the assistance should be doubled, he said.

Describing the 33 per cent subsidy for seeds announced by the State Government as pittance, Mr. Naidu demanded supply of seeds at 90 per cent subsidy and rescheduling of agricultural loans.

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