Tummala seeks immediate Central aid for Telangana as 315 mandals face drought-like conditions

Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao urged the Centre to provide immediate financial aid for Telangana to address drought-like conditions in 315 mandals. He attributed the conditions to deficient rainfall and the impact of El Niño. The Minister sought Central assistance to help the State address the agricultural situation.

Tummala raised the issue during a video conference on the Khet Bachao Abhiyan on Saturday, 17 October. The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare chaired the conference. During the meeting, Tummala outlined the rainfall situation and the measures the State government has initiated to protect standing crops.

He said inadequate rainfall and El Niño had created drought-like conditions across 315 mandals in Telangana. He stressed the need for immediate financial aid for Telangana to address the situation. The request formed part of the issues he raised during the conference.

State directs officials to protect standing crops

Meanwhile, the State government has directed officials to assess crop conditions and conserve available water resources. Officials have also received instructions to ensure adequate irrigation water for standing crops until harvest. Tummala explained the State’s instructions on crop assessment, water conservation, irrigation availability and uninterrupted power supply.

Additionally, the government has directed them to maintain an uninterrupted electricity supply to support agricultural operations and protect crops. Tummala said the Khet Bachao Abhiyan will run across Telangana from 22 October to 30 November.

The campaign will operate at the village level, with staff from agricultural institutions and universities across the country participating. The Minister outlined the programme’s implementation during the video conference.