Andhra CM seeks central aid for Polavaram canals, chilli farmers’ crisis
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Delhi, seeking financial assistance for irrigation projects and urgent intervention to support struggling chilli farmers.
Request for Polavaram canal reimbursement
During his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Naidu, accompanied by Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, urged the central government to reimburse the state for expenditures on constructing the Polavaram Left and Right canals. He also sought support to complete the project at an accelerated pace.
Push for Polavaram-Banakacherla link project
The CM also highlighted the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project, which aims to divert 200 TMC of floodwater from the Godavari at Polavaram to Banakacherla. “This initiative will make Andhra Pradesh drought-proof, provide drinking water to 80 lakh people, irrigate 3 lakh hectares of new land, supplement 9.14 lakh hectares, and allocate 20 TMC of water for industries,” Naidu said.
Chilli farmers’ crisis: Appeal for market intervention
Later, Naidu held discussions with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on the severe distress faced by chilli farmers in Andhra Pradesh. He urged the Centre to implement a market intervention scheme that factors in cultivation costs to ensure fair pricing. “The minister has assured full support and scheduled a review meeting this Friday to expedite relief measures,” Naidu said.
