HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh will make a strong claim at the conclave of Congress Chief Ministers at Nainital on September 23 and 24 for increased Central assistance to successfully implement various initiatives taken in the agriculture sector to benefit farmers.

Similarly, it will seek more aid to tackle the problem of naxalites and other extremist groups. The conclave will be presided over by the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy will make a presentation at the conference highlighting the top priority assigned by his Government to "agriculture agenda" and the need to continue the initiatives to get full benefit.

His plea, however, would be to release more Central assistance outside the purview of the Vidharba-type package in offing for the State. Dr. Reddy identified the areas to be covered by the appeal at a meeting here on Saturday with officials from Agriculture and Home Departments attended by respective Ministers-- N. Raghuveera Reddy and K. Jana Reddy.

Mr. Raghuveera Reddy told reporters later that at least 10 per cent hike would be sought in assistance under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme to complete the projects taken up under Jalayagnam and provide irrigation to one crore acres. Chief Minister would emphasise the need for taking up more projects as 1.4 crore of acres of cultivable land would be left out even after coverage under the present projects.

Crop loans

Assistance would also be sought to provide crop loans to farmers at low interest rate, extend subsidy on purchase of NPK fertilizers, ensure enhanced minimum support price for pulses, coarse grain and oilseeds for making irrigated dry crops worthwhile. The Chief Minister would seek changes in the crop insurance scheme and amendments to the Seeds Act.

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