HYDERABAD FIELD OFFICE
Drought in Andhra Pradesh
Overview and New Data
Andhra Pradesh experienced early onset of monsoons, with thundershowers, etc during the last week of May and exceptionally heavy monsoons in June and first week of July. Owing to these unusually heavy rains, Andhra Pradesh is no longer experiencing a meteorological drought. Water levels in rivers and reservoirs are currently at the high mark, and mist districts have surplus water.
Progress of Operations
While the chronic water shortage related crisis has been averted by the timely and abundant rainfall, drought relief works still continue. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu is constantly reviewing Drought Relief Works and Water Harvesting Structures with supervisory officers and Heads of the department at the Secretariat. The state continues the supply of subsidised rice under drought relief in the drought-hit districts -- at Rs.5.50 per Kg first to the white cardholders. After completing the distribution of this normal subsidised rice through PDS, the special subsidised rice of 0 Kg., per family at Rs.6.40 per Kg., should be distributed. People above poverty line in the drought-hit areas can lift the special subsidised at Rs.6.40 any time.
The Commissioner, Civil Supplies coupons are being issued to all the families in the drought-hit districts to avail 20 kg, rice per month at Rs.6.40 per Kg, for three months. The Annapurna scheme, under which 10-kg free rice is given to people above 65 years, has also been in operation.
A total of Rs.239.26 crores worth of works has been taken up by the District Collectors on a priority basis.
High level teams of Bankers constituted by SLBC visited the drought-hit districts and advised the Bankers to extend relief and rehabilitation to the affected farmers as per the RBI guidelines. Crop loans to the extent of Rs.429.58 crores are being converted to medium term loans in respect of 3,47,116 farmers.
Keeping in mind the Kharif crop, the State Government has sanctioned Rs.53.38 crores input subsidy to the farmers of seven drought-affected districts. This is in addition to the already sanctioned Rs. 85.41 crores to certain districts towards input subsidy to the farmers whose crops have not been covered by crop insurance. The Collectors have been instructed to arrange for payment of input-subsidy as per eligible scales of relief and guidelines issued on the subject. The districts for which the Rs.53.38 crores subsidy sanctioned are:
- Anantapur ( 18.75 crs),
- Cuddapah ( 3.4 crs),
- Kurnool ( 5.35 crs),
- Prakasam (4.16 crs),
- Mahabubnagar (16.73 crs.),
- Vizianagaram (4.31 crs) and
- Guntur (6.8 crs).
The amount sanctioned is in relaxation of treasury control and quarterly regulation orders.
UNICEF HFO commissioned Ms. Kalpana Sharma, senior journalist with the Hindu, to do a series of case studies in the drought affected districts of Mahabubnagar, Medak (both in the Telengana region), Nalgonda, and Anantapur (the last two are part of the Rayalaseema region of AP), with special emphasis on the impact of the drought on women and children. The study is in progress.
Funds Released by GoAP at a Glance
Janmabhoomi
Amount Released - Rs.82.42 Crore
Drought Input Subsidy - Rs.75.00 Crore Drinking Water - Rs.30.00 Crore
Water Conservation
Rehabilitation of MI Schemes - Rs.48.52 Crore
Panchayat Raj M.I. Tanks - Rs.4.81 Crore
Old Age Pensions
No. of beneficiaries - 16,56,800
Amount Released - Rs.37.27 Crore
Annapurna Scheme
Target beneficiaries - 93,200
Proposals for medium and long-term interventions
UNICEF HFO plans to commission a consulting firm to prepare appropriate medium and long-term intervention plans and proposals for drought mitigation. Bids had been raised for this, and Taru Consultants, Hyderabad has been identified through the bidding process. UNICEF HFO is in the process of inviting Taru to take up the assignment.