YSRCP leader Kurasala Kannababu criticises the Andhra Pradesh government over cyclone relief and seeks timely compensation for farmers and affected families.
Kakinada: Former Minister and YSRCP Regional Coordinator Kurasala Kannababu has criticised the Andhra Pradesh government’s response to Cyclone Arnab, alleging that it was prioritising publicity through review meetings, photographs and videos instead of ensuring effective relief to affected farmers and families.
Addressing the media at his camp office in Kakinada on Wednesday, Mr. Kannababu questioned the absence of ministers in cyclone-affected areas despite advance warnings. He alleged that the government had failed to provide adequate field-level assistance to those who suffered losses.
He also questioned the government’s direction asking farmers to upload photographs of crop damage through a mobile application. He asked whether all affected farmers had the technical knowledge and access required to use the application, and sought to know what the Agriculture and Revenue Department officials were doing to document crop losses.
Mr. Kannababu demanded that the government announce a clear deadline for disbursing cyclone compensation. He said paddy farmers should receive enhanced assistance in accordance with the Scale of Assistance revised under G.O. No. 5, dated November 14, 2023, during the previous YSRCP government.
Referring to the government’s assessment of crop damage across approximately 8.30 lakh acres, including 7.60 lakh acres of paddy, he questioned why enhanced compensation was not being extended to paddy cultivators.
He maintained that the administration should ensure transparent crop-loss assessments and timely payments, particularly to farmers whose livelihoods had been affected by the cyclone.
The former Minister said the previous Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had registered crops through Rythu Bharosa Kendras, implemented free crop insurance and provided insurance compensation ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹29,000 per acre in the region between 2019 and 2024.
He also claimed that input subsidies had been disbursed before the subsequent crop season under the previous administration. Alleging that the present government had failed to pay its share of crop insurance premiums, he said farmers were facing uncertainty over insurance coverage and timely input assistance.
Mr. Kannababu called for compensation to tenant farmers, fishermen who had lost boats and fishing nets, and aquaculture farmers whose ponds had suffered damage or whose operations had been affected by electricity disruptions.
He also sought the organisation of medical camps in cyclone-affected areas to address public health concerns arising from heavy rainfall and flooding.
Demanding greater transparency in relief operations, he urged the government to publish beneficiary lists and details of the assistance distributed to affected families.
He further sought the postponement of electoral processes in cyclone-affected areas of Kakinada until field verification was completed and adequate opportunities were provided for the public to raise objections.
The government, he said, should move beyond publicity-oriented activities and ensure that every eligible affected family received fair and timely compensation.
