States » SouthPosted at: Sep 17 2026 10:46PM


Naidu’s negligence worsened drought crisis across AP: Former CM Jagan Reddy

Vijayawada, Sep 17 (UNI) Lashing out at Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for his 'negligence' in landing Andhra Pradesh in a severe drought, former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday demanded that the government declare drought-hit mandals and announced that he will visit the affected regions.
The Ex-Chief Minister held a video conference with YSRCP Regional Coordinators and District Presidents at the party headquarters in Tadepalli near here, reviewing the drought conditions, crop losses, water scarcity and the hardships being faced by farmers across the State.

“The State is not suffering from the El Niño effect, but from the ‘Yellow Niño effect’. This is not merely a natural drought. The Chief Minister’s failure to respond in time has made the situation more serious,” he remarked.

He recalled that Naidu had warned about El Niño on February 4, but took no follow-up action. Despite continuous rainfall deficits in June, July and August, the government failed to declare drought-hit mandals, arrange alternative seeds, supply fodder or seek additional workdays from the Centre under (VB-G RAM G) scheme.

According to him, the State recorded a rainfall deficit of more than 51 per cent from the beginning of the Kharif season until September 16, and nearly 628 mandals are facing drought-like conditions, while around 332 mandals were experiencing severe drought. “Against the normal Kharif cultivation area of 76 lakh acres, crops have been sown in only 56.4 lakh acres. Nearly 20 lakh acres remained fallow due to lack of water,” he observed.

“The farmers who trusted the government’s assurances and began cultivation suffered losses ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre. Red gram, cotton, groundnut, maize, paddy and fruit orchards were severely affected,” he lamented.

Reddy accused the government of wasting Srisailam water on power generation instead of supplying it to Rayalaseema. “When the rainfall deficit was clearly visible, the government remained busy switching on pumps, lifting gates and posing for photographs,” he ridiculed.

The Ex-CM demanded the immediate declaration of drought-hit mandals, rescheduling of farmers’ loans and restoration of free crop insurance and sought compensation of Rs 15,000 per acre for unsown land and Rs 25,000 per acre for damaged crops, besides Rs 6,000 crore towards input subsidy.

He demanded payment of Rs 41,000 in pending Annadata Sukhibhava assistance, restoration of zero-interest loans, fodder distribution, 150 additional workdays and uninterrupted power supply. He emphasized the need to provide drinking water through free tankers and an 80 per cent subsidy on tanker costs to save fruit orchards.

Reddy directed party leaders to visit drought-affected areas, meet farmers, submit district-specific demands and pressure the government to provide immediate relief.
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