Amaravati, Dec 15: Two central teams of officials, who toured cyclone-affected areas and studied drought conditions in some districts separately, called on Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Camp office here on Friday.

The Chief Minister informed them that the government had taken necessary steps to shift people from low-lying areas to relief camps to prevent loss of life promptly after cyclone warnings were issued. The cyclone had resulted in continuous rains and heavy crop losses as it moved along the coast before making landfall, he told them.

State Government officials, who toured the cyclone-affected areas, are currently assessing the damage, he said, adding that the list of farmers who suffered crop losses would be displayed at the village secretariats after examining the e-crop details. The names of the missing persons will be included after a social audit and proper verification, he informed them.

He further informed the central teams that the government would extend financial help to the farmers transparently and requested them to ensure that the Center generously supports the state.

CM Apprised:

The two teams briefed the Chief Minister on their findings observed during their tours in drought and cyclone-affected areas. The officials mentioned that due to timely measures taken by the official machinery, loss of life was averted. They expressed satisfaction over the relief measures taken with the support of the village secretariats and praised the e-cropping system, which is not found in other states. The officials stated that they would submit the report on the loss caused by the cyclone to the Centre.

Committee on Drought:

Members of the committee on drought informed the Chief Minister that they had toured Anantapuram, Chittoor, Kurnool, Nandyala, Saya Sai, Annamayya, and NTR districts. They spoke to the farmers, observed water levels in reservoirs, and assessed drought-affected crops. They also observed the works being undertaken under the employment guarantee scheme and praised the RBKs and the village secretariat system for their role in supporting farmers in the state. They suggested taking steps to encourage farmers to cultivate alternate commercial crops.

The Chief Minister instructed them to ensure that the Centre pays the pending bills to the State at the earliest.

NIDM Executive Director Rajendra Ratnu, Agriculture Joint Director Vikrant Singh, DAFW Joint Secretary Pankaj Yadav called on the Chief Minister. Special Chief Secretaries G. Sai Prasad (Revenue and Disaster Management), Gopalakrishna Dwivedi (Agriculture), Y. Sri Lakshmi (MA&UD), B. Rajasekhar (PR), Water Resources Principal Secretary Sasibhushan Kumar, Transport Secretary Pradyumna Kumar, Agriculture Special Commissioner CH Harikiran, Disaster Management Director Ambedkar, and senior officials were among those present.

Also Read: CM Jagan's Interesting Comments on Elections 2024