SHARING CONCERN: Minister for Commercial Taxes Konathala Ramakrishna, who is also the Minister Incharge of the district, at the DRC meeting in Kurnool on Wednesday. — Photo U. Subramanyam

KURNOOL: The District Review Committee (DRC), chaired by Minister for Commercial Taxes Konathala Ramakrishna, has urged the Government to declare all 54 mandals in the district drought affected in view of the prolonged dry spell and withering crops.

Minister for Lift Irrigation M. Mareppa, Collector M. Dana Kishore, ZP Chairman L. Venkata Swamy, Member of Parliament S.P.Y. Reddy, MLAs -- K. Rambhupal Reddy, M.A Gafoor, K. Sujathamma, Challa Ramakrishna Reddy, S.V. Subba Reddy, S. Mohan Reddy, Saiprasad Reddy, M. Sikhamani and G. Charita -- were present.

Labourers migrating

The DRC underlined the need for announcing an immediate relief package for farmers, who had lost their crops and employment for farm workers. The members said migration of labourers began much before the season this year because of the dry spell.

The members grilled agriculture officials for not projecting the intensity of the drought in their reports, as the Joint Director had stated that crops were affected on 34,962 hectares while sowing could not be taken up in another 41,000 hectares. According to him, only 16 mandals were affected.

`Waive interest on loans'

Mr. Ramakrishna pacified the members saying that the agriculture report was not the only document on which the Government had acted. In fact, the district Collector had been writing to the Government from time-to-time on the prevailing drought conditions. Sunflower and groundnut farmers were the worst hit. They urged the Government to provide substantial relief by supplying seed and waiving interest on crop loans.

Mr. Mohan Reddy drew the attention of the Minister to the poor utilization of crop insurance facility in Kurnool district.

Poor inflows

The meeting expressed serious concern over the poor flow in the Tungabhadra LLC, which was supplying only 280 cusecs as against the intended quantity of 650 cusecs. The meeting felt that the area be restricted to 6,000 acres as against 34,000 acres in view of the critical situation. It was decided to discuss the issue at a higher level as it was an inter-State issue.

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