Ten more mandals declared as drought-affected in AP

Andhra Pradesh Government declared 10 more mandals in Srikakulam district as drought-hit, taking the total number of such mandals across the state to 981.

Andhra Pradesh Government on Saturday declared 10 more mandals in Srikakulam district as drought-hit, taking the total number of such mandals across the state to 981.

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On September 9, the state government declared 971 mandals in 21 districts as drought-affected and did not include the ten mandals of Srikakulam district because of the Tekkali bye-election.

"Now that the bye-election is over and the model code of conduct ceased, we are declaring those 10 mandals as drought-hit," Chief Minister K Rosaiah told reporters in Hyderabad.

All crop loans in these drought-hit mandals were being rescheduled, he said, adding that Centre has been requested to offer a two per cent discount for rescheduled loans as well.

"The Centre is currently giving a two per cent rebate only for fresh crop loans while we have requested it to extend the same facility to rescheduled loans as well in view of the drought," the Chief Minister said. Farmers in the state would get fresh loans at 25 paise interest only, with the state government bearing the balance interest component as subsidy, he said.