VIJAYAWADA: Congress MP K V P Ramachandra Rao made a special mention on the drought situation in Rayalaseema region in the Rajya Sabha on Monday to draw attention of the Centre to the burning problem.
Rao said he wanted to highlight the severe drought situation in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.
"Crops have failed and farmers are in distress, while agriculture workers are jobless," he said and pointed out that people were facing acute acute drinking water problem in the area.
“Broewells have almost dried up. Anantapur district was worst hit. I personally witnessed the situation. Water has become a big business and is selling like hot cakes. Hundreds of villages in Rayalaseema are in the grip of famine. People in the villages are forced to walk a long distance to fetch drinking water and migrations have already started,” he told the Rajya Sabha.
"Unfortunately, the state government is focusing on trumpeting the growth rate and celebrating the hike in GSDP rather than concentrating on providing drinking water to the people," he said.
“I, therefore, want the Centre to come to the rescue of the region with some permanent solution. As an immediate relief, please announce a special package to ensure supply of adequate drinking water. Please waive crop loans, small bank loans of agricultural workers and working people like rickshaw pullers and petty traders,” he said.