CM Jagan visits cyclone affected Tirupati and Bapatla districts
Date: December 8, 2023
Location: Tirupati & Bapatla
CM Jagan visits cyclone affected Tirupati and Bapatla districts; YSRCP Government provides Rs 2500 each to over 72,000 cyclone-affected families
CM Jagan stands firmly behind farmers, promises crop insurance assistance before next Kharif season
CM Jagan: Swift relief and financial aid disbursal a result of the remarkable village volunteer system
In the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung which brought havoc in the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Rayalaseema, CM Jagan visited the cyclone-affected areas today and directly engaged with the farmers and assured them that the government had their back. Personally inquiring about the farmers in Vakadu and Karlapalem Mandals in both Tirupati and Bapatla districts (the worst impacted regions), CM Jagan acknowledged the pain of damaged crops and inconvenience caused by the extraordinary amount of rainfall experienced in the past four to five days and provided a healing touch not just with his words but also his physical presence on ground.
Elaborating on the steps taken by his government, CM Jagan stated, “In response to the crisis, approximately 92 relief camps have been established in the area, accommodating a total of 8,364 individuals who have been relocated for assistance. Around 60,000 people have received essential rations including 25 kg of rice, 1 KG of red gram dal, 1 KG of palm oil, 1 kg each of onions and potatoes.”
Speaking about the course of action in the near future, the Chief Minister added, “The State Government will be distributing ration kits to the 60,000 cyclone-affected families. A program has been initiated to provide Rs 2500 to each cyclone affected household. Over the next four days, volunteers and village secretariat staff will visit each and every such household and distribute the said financial aide.”
Reiterating the importance of the volunteer and secretariat system for last mile delivery of relief and rescue operations when natural calamity hits and otherwise, CM Jagan said, “In our state, we have a unique volunteer workforce working at ward and village secretariats. This innovative approach ensures that individuals suffer minimum losses even when natural calamity strikes. We want to assure everyone that the government is committed to providing unwavering support in all aspects to the cyclone-affected families.”
Reacting to the crop loss suffered by the farmers, CM Jagan asserted, “In the face of crop loss, there is no need fear. The government will be offering an 80% subsidy on seeds for the farmers.”
Furthermore, CM Jagan announced Rs 30 crore for the construction of a high-level bridge at the Swarnamukhi river, “Having witnessed the significant damage caused by the breach at Swarnamukhi, it is understandable that the construction of the high-level bridge would be an effective and sustainable solution,” he added.
The CM also announced, “The government will initiate all temporary works and repair programs for roads, including RWS, R&B roads, and small tanks, commencing the restoration efforts. Proposals totaling Rs 32 crore have been received for road repairs. The work will be executed on a war footing.”
Later in the day, CM Jagan visited Pathanandayapalem in Karlapalem Mandal of Bapatla district and directly interacted with the farmers affected by Cyclone Michaung.
Extending full support to his farmer friends, CM Jagan said, “Around 12,000 families would be provided with essential food materials besides Rs 2500 financial support to each household impacted by the cyclone in the region.”
Allaying the fears of farmers regarding crop insurance assistance, CM Jagan stated, “The government will ensure crop insurance assistance for all eligible farmers before the upcoming Kharif season. Also, the YSRCP government’s unprecedented move of covering crop insurance premiums on behalf of farmers sets a historic precedent.”
The CM then asked the public to recall the time when they were fooled by Chandrababu Naidu when the TDP was in power. CM Jagan remarked, “During the severe drought in Andhra Pradesh between 2014-2019, the TDP government provided only Rs 3400 crore as crop insurance assistance to 35 lakh farmers. In contrast, the YSRCP government, in the last four-and-a-half years, has set a record by extending Rs 7800 crore to nearly 55 lakh farmers for crop insurance assistance in the state.”
The Chief Minister also undertook an extensive aerial survey of the region and ensured swift relief operations in all impacted areas
