Naidu slams Govt for neglecting victims of Gulab cyclone

Compensation needed for farmers for damaged crops
3 lakh acres of crops damaged in Gulab storm
Large scale damage in North Andhra
TDP chief holds teleconference
AMARAVATI: TDP National President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday stressed the need for rushing immediate help to North Andhra following large scale destruction of crops and property caused by the latest Gulab cyclone.
Chandrababu Naidu expressed concern that over 3 lakh acres of crops were damaged and the general life became paralysed. The roads were badly damaged under the impact of the heavy rains. The TDP leaders and cadres should make themselves available to extend all possible help to the affected families. The YSRCP Government was not taking prompt action to mitigate the suffering of the cyclone-hit people. Negligence was visible despite the people suffering in every natural calamity.
The TDP chief held a teleconference with the party leaders when he underscored the need for the Government to immediately enumerate the crop losses and extend assistance to the affected farmers. Help should be extended to those whose houses were damaged. Orissa CM Navin Patnaik was instructing the officials at every step to extend help to the people of their State. But back in AP, CM Jagan Reddy was neglecting the people in their time of calamity and suffering. On its part, the TDP would always be by the side of the people whether it was in ruling or in opposition.
Chandrababu Naidu deplored that the AP CM was not swinging into action even in times of great suffering for the people. Jagan Reddy had no idea of how vital irrigation would be for a flourishing agriculture. He was just watching when the water was flowing wastefully into the sea. The overflowing of the Somasila project would indicate the inefficiency of the Chief Minister. It was the collective responsibility of everyone to help the affected families. The TDP leaders should take part in shifting affected people to safer places and in providing food for them.
The TDP chief said that major damage was averted in Visakhapatnam now as the underground cable system was developed with Rs. 791 Cr in the aftermath of the Hudhud cyclone. During the TDP rule, compensation for the damaged crops was raised from 50 percent to 100 percent. Whereas, Jagan Reddy made many empty promises but now turned indifferent to the farmers’ woes. The TDP increased investment support from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 per hectare for paddy, sugarcane and cotton when damaged in natural calamities.
Chandrababu Naidu asserted that their party Government provided all necessary support to people during Hudhud and Titli cyclones. Relief measures were taken on a war footing. Current supply was restored within hours of disruption. The TDP leaders and Ministers remained at the field level to rescue people. At that time, the cyclone-hit families were given 25 kilos rice, 5 litres kerosene, 2 kilos dal, one litre palm oil, half kilo chilli powder, half kilo salt, kilo sugar and 3 kilos potato and 2 kilos onions. Crop compensation was increased and it was given to the farmers in time.
The TDP chief said that during the Titli and Pethai cyclones, the TDP regime extended help to the farmers of coconut and cashew nuts. In the five years of TDP rule, Rs. 3,759.51 Cr of input subsidy was released to the farmers. On its part, the Jagan rule has betrayed the farmers totally in the payments of crop insurance and input subsidy. The YCP Government washed its hands of the farmers’ problems.