More relief sought for rain-affected

TDP on Wednesday demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the recent heavy rains which played havoc and caused large-scale damage, as a national calamity and extend full support to the State government in providing relief to the affected. In a letter to the Prime Minister, party president N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the State government was yet to turn its focus on relief and rehabilitation of affected population and restoration of power, road and communication networks.

He demanded to enhance the ex gratia amount to families of each deceased person to Rs 5 lakh, provision of 50 kg rice, 5 litres of kerosene and Rs 5,000 to purchase utensils and sanction Rs 20,000 per acre for the affected cotton, cashew, tobacco and sugarcane farmers and Rs 10,000 to paddy, soya and ground nut farmers.

Naidu also urged the Centre to direct the National Highway Authority and Telecom ministries to restore all the affected works on war footing.