Centre has decided to depute a team for the inspection of drought-hit areas in the state. The decision has been taken following the state government's request to extend support to the farmers of the drought-hit areas.
The state government has already declared 103 mandals in seven districts as drought mandals in the state and initiated measures to provide relief to the farmers.
After going through the report from the state government, Union agriculture ministry has decided to depute inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) to AP. The team will be headed by joint secretary in the agriculture ministry, Pankaj Yadav.
Centre has asked the state government to nominate a senior official from the state to coordinate with the IMCT.
Senior officials from Union finance ministry (department of expenditure), Niti Aayog, water and sanitation, water resources, rural development, food and civil supplies, animal husbandry, crops division of agriculture department and Mahalanobis National Crop Forest Centre (MCFC) will be part of the central team.
"Andra Pradesh government has reported that it has experienced deficient rainfall during June and July 2023 resulting in crop loss. After taking into consideration various drought parameters of drought manual for drought management, the state government declared 103 mandals as drought mandals on October 31. While there is severe drought conditions in about 80 mandals, moderate drought conditions prevail in 23 mandals covering seven districts. It has been decided to depute the IMCT to assess the crop damage on the field, said BP Bimal, director (drought management) in the Union ministry of agriculture in a communication to the state government.
The team's schedule will be finalised next week.
Meanwhile, the state government is gearing up to declare more mandals as drought mandals by taking the deficient rainfall till September. Sources said about 400 mandals in the state are reportedly reeling under severe drought conditions due to erratic and insufficient rains.
Source - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
