Naidu asks officials to gear up for weak monsoon

Hyderabad: Worried over the sub-normal monsoon which has given rise to the possibility of drought conditions in the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has asked the officials to prepare a contingency plan.

At a meeting with Ministers Ganta Srinivas Rao and P Narayana and senior officials at Lake View Guest House on Wednesday, Naidu asked the officials to submit a detailed note on the present weather conditions in the state and the data pertaining to rainfall etc. so that he can discuss the situation with the Centre and seek its help to meet the situation during his two-day visit to New Delhi from Thursday.

Normally, the monsoon hits Andhra Pradesh by June 5-10. This year, there was no rain as yet and indications are that monsoon will arrive only in the month of July.

According to official sources, Naidu would also take up the issue of converting the ordinance on transfer of seven mandals in Bhadrachalam division to Andhra Pradesh into an Act in the ensuing Parliament session. Among other issues which Naidu proposes to take up with the Centre is in regard to the funds the State would get during this fiscal. Naidu will also urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to see that the RBI does not create any hurdles in the implementation of the loan waiver scheme.