HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday announced that Krishna, Prakasam, Guntur and Kurnool, four districts affected by the recent floods, would have the benefit of the State Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, on the lines of NREGP.

Complimenting officials for effective handling of the floods, he said there were only a few complaints about relief. They had been asked to take up restoration of damaged bridges, tanks, canals and roads, without waiting for the Central relief.

The Chief Minister told reporters here that Rs. 50 crores was earmarked so far for restoration works of which, Rs. 37.50 crore was released. In Krishna district, 10,000 quintals of blackgram seeds would be made available to farmers at 50 per cent subsidy while ryots in Prakasam would be assisted in taking up paddy transplantation. The Government had sanctioned 80,000 houses under the Indira Awas Yojana, he added.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah urged the TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu to desist from "continuing his misinformation campaign" on flood relief operations and complimented the administration for rendering timely service to the victims.

Mr. Rosaiah said there was no truth in Mr. Naidu's allegation that the relief was tardy since the official machinery moved in swiftly in all the affected districts to set up relief camps and distribute essential commodities.

The casualty figure too was very low due to timely intervention. Relief given to each affected family was on the high side, consisting of 20 kg rice, five litres kerosene and higher monetary compensation for damaged houses and assistance for buying utensils. It was inappropriate for Mr. Naidu to criticise the Government without any basis. Such a practice would further lower his esteem among people and a politician of Mr. Naidu's standing should not try to politicise every issue.

Making a "sincere request" to Mr. Naidu to be constructive in his criticism, he said right suggestions from the TDP chief would always be respected and implemented. Recalling Mr. Naidu's promise of five kilograms rice to each of the affected families, he said people were "still awaiting it".

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail