Centre to give Rs 400 cr for rain-hit AP farmers

The Centre on Tuesday announced a relief of Rs 400 crore to provide succour to rain-hit farmers in Andhra Pradesh, a move aimed at countering the political fall-out of the fast undertaken by Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu and former Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy.

A delegation comprising Members of Parliament from the state met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi on Tuesday and apprised him of the losses incurred by farmers in various regions hit by cyclone and rains recently.

The delegation apprised him that the 'unprecedented' rains had resulted in extensive damage to cotton crops, tobacco and paddy.

"The prime minister announced an advance of Rs 400 crore to be paid to the state government for immediate relief and assured the delegation that expeditious action would be taken on the reports of the central team. Based on their assessment, additional relief could be provided," a PMO spokesman said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy had also met the prime minister a few days ago and drawn his attention to the plight of the farmers of the state.