CPI(M) seeks ₹1 lakh crore drought relief for Andhra Pradesh farmers

The CPI(M) has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to immediately declare drought-hit mandals and roll out a special relief package for farmers, tenant farmers and agricultural labourers, warning that the State is sliding into a severe drought.

Speaking at a press conference in Vijayawada on Sunday, CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said the situation had worsened because the government did not act despite meteorologists' warnings of severe El Niño conditions. Left party teams that toured affected areas had highlighted the distress among farmers, farm workers and tenant farmers, he said.

Mr. Rao noted that organisations representing these groups had called for protests from September 21, after which the government said drought-hit mandals would be declared on October 1. He pressed for immediate action rather than waiting for conditions to deteriorate further.

He questioned whether Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and HRD Minister N. Lokesh, who have been travelling across the country to attract investments, could not find time to visit drought-hit areas and meet farmers in distress.

The CPI(M) leader demanded that the Centre declare drought a national disaster and provide a package of ₹1 lakh crore. He linked the worsening environmental conditions to pollution and environmental degradation caused by large investors pursuing profits.

Mr. Rao also opposed proposals to set up data centres in Visakhapatnam, saying they would consume large quantities of water and electricity and could aggravate environmental and temperature-related problems. Permissions should not be granted to projects that damage the environment without a proper environmental impact assessment, he said.

On the agricultural toll, he said crops had been sown on about 50 lakh acres, but there was no prospect of yields even from 20 lakh acres. He demanded a loan waiver, 200 days of employment under the MGNREGS and wages of at least ₹310 a day as fixed by the government. He also sought compensation of ₹50,000 for each tenant farmer family affected by drought and the establishment of fodder centres for livestock.

Turning to housing, Mr. Rao demanded that house sites be allotted to all applicants, recalling the election promise to provide sites to everyone. He alleged that the government had earlier halted transactions involving 12 lakh acres under Section 22-A citing irregularities, but was now releasing large tracts from restrictions and declaring them freehold.

He further alleged that assigned lands had been encroached upon by influential persons and billionaires. Assigned land committees should be revived and the process of converting such lands into freehold property should be opened to public scrutiny to ensure justice for the poor, he said, adding that the lands being regularised were largely in the possession of influential sections.

CPI(M) State Secretariat member B. Balaram said 54% of crops in Andhra Pradesh had been damaged and demanded that the situation be declared a national disaster with adequate relief for those affected.