The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has criticised both the State and Central Government for the neglect of drought conditions in the State. The party accused Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for showing step-motherly treatment to farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, senior leader of TDP K. Siva Prasada Rao blamed the State Government’s apathy in sending necessary reports on the drought conditions to the Centre for getting relief assistance from it. As a result, the State was not provided with any relief measures in the recent package announced by the Centre, he felt.

The Centre’s neglect of drought conditions in Andhra Pradesh was also evident in the fact that the Mr. Pawar along with a high-level delegation had already undertaken a visit to Karnataka to examine the drought conditions there.

Scanty rainfall had affected kharif prospects badly in rain-fed areas and lack of water in major reservoirs had left no scope for cultivation in Krishna and Godavari deltas, he noted.

Instead of review the drought conditions and deteriorating power situation the Chief Minister was visiting districts as if he was running away from the problems, the TDP leader remarked and suggested the Chief Minister to plan relief measures and alternative crop plans instead of playing cricket and badminton.

He demanded that the government release water to save paddy nurseries in Krishna and Godavari deltas to help the farmers be prepared for transplantation in the event of rains. He requested the government to provided free supply of seed for alternative crops in the rain-fed areas as the condition of standing crops was not good due to scanty rainfall.

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