SRIKAKULAM: Blaming the previous TDP Government for the present power crisis, Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao on Wednesday asserted that the Congress Government had been taking all steps to tide over the crisis and by 2008 the situation would be normal.

Addressing farmers after awarding `Sankranti Puraskaarams' to the best farmers and field level officials at a function here, Mr. Prasada Rao said that indiscriminate sanction of power projects without the required tie-up for supply of gas by the TDP had resulted in a situation where Rs.1200 crores was to be paid for power which was not generated.

"The Congress Government is trying its best to streamline the power sector and see that power generated is put to best use. We are transparent at every stage," he said.

District Collector V.N. Vishnu said that farmers had faced unprecedented hardship caused by floods bravely and with confidence. Against the expected yield of 6 lakh MTs of paddy this season, the actual yield was 9.20 lakh MTs. This showed their ability to face crisis. Mr.Vishnu said that Rs. 5 crores was distributed to farmers as compensation for loss of crops due to floods. In all 16 farmers were given the `puraskaaram.'

Ryots' gesture

Kakinada: Minister for Roads and Buildings Jakkampudi Ramamohana Rao presented the best performance awards to 19 progressive farmers and eight officials here.

The farmers were honoured with shawls and presented a cash of Rs.5,000 and a certificate each. Three of them -- Nallamilli Veera Raghava Reddy, Padala Subba Reddy and Dangeti Venkata Reddy Naidu -- announced that they were contributing the cash to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

MP's call

VIZIANAGARAM: In all 19 farmers were felicitated with shawls and awarded `Rythu Sankranti Puraskar' for achieving high yield by adopting modern agriculture techniques at a function at the Collectorate here.

The awards carried cash prize, citation and a memento. Lok Sabha member Botcha Jhansi Lakshmi presented the awards. Senior Congress leader and MLA P. Sambasiva Raju, DCMS Chairman K.V. Suryanarayana Raju, and others were present.

Ms. Jhansi Lakshmi asked farmers to utilise the benefits being extended to them by the government.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Best farmers for kharif 2006 were given away the `Sankranti puraskaram' at a function here. Each of the farmers was presented Rs.5,000 and a memento.

Officials of the Agriculture Department and various banks were felicitated.

Addressing the meeting, Zilla Parishad Chairman G. Ramamurthy Naidu wanted agriculture officials to train farmers on getting more yield and containing pests.

District Collector A.K Singhal, who presided over the programme, said Rs.314 crores had been given as credit to farmers during the kharif season.

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