N Chandrababu Naidu, leader of Telugu Desam party, has asked the government to sancton loans, in addition to launching relief measures, to farmers, small traders and vendors who lost their means of living. Visiting several flood affected sites like Mopidevi, Challapalli, Uuyyuru and other Krishna river bound areas in the district, the leader described the floods as ‘man-made devastation' and said that these floods washed away the belongings of people, leaving them jobless. He criticised the government for not taking appropriate relief measures even a week after the calamity. He urged the government to announce special packages for the affected farmers by issuing fresh loans and waiving off the old ones. Naidu also demanded the government to extend financial support to the farmers, traders and vendors by issuing 3 lakh free connections and also distribute text and note books to students. While touring, he listened to the grievances of the affected people and assured them that he would put pressure on the government to help them in best possible way. He said that had the administration paid heed to the warning by Central Water Commission (CWC) about a possible deluge, the situation would have been avoided to a great extent. The government has announced a Rs. 1000 crore loan for flood affected people in Karnataka. Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh said that the centre had seriously viewed the demand for waiver of farm loans and it would take a decision on the issue after going through the norms and procedures of the Reserve Bank of India. |