Dy Speaker distributes `2 cr compensation to chilli farmers

Khammam: Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka distributed Rs 2 cr as compensation to the chilli farmers at Agriculture Market yard at Madhira town in Khammam district on Sunday. The total insurance amount was estimated at Rs 20 cr. It may be noted that several quintals of chillis were reduced to ashes due to a fire mishap at Sri Lakshmi Vallabha Cold Storage Centre at the Market Yard in May last year. After the mishap last year, the Dy Speaker told the farmers that it was difficult to get the insurance amount. Later, he explained the situation to the Chief Minister who directed the officials to take initiative for payment of compensation. The Insurance amount of Rs 20 cr would be distributed to the affected farmers in a phased manner, the Deputy Speaker said. Bhatti Vikramarka said that subsidies would be distributed shortly to farmers who had lost their crops during Nilamcy clone. He laid foundation for works relating to Reddy Cheruvu at Nagulavancha village in Chintakani mandal. The works would be taken up at a cost of Rs 17.43 lakhs. He also laid stone for Cement Concrete (CC) road between Nagulavancha and Patharlapadu. The road work is estimated at Rs 24 lakhs. Madhira Agriculture Market Committee (AMC) chairman Vemi Reddy Srinivasa Reddy, vice-chairman Satyanarayana and other officials were present.