Compensation to Farmers by Tomorrow Evening.

*Compensation to Farmers by Tomorrow Evening**

*Every farmer who suffered crop loss due to unseasonal rains will be supported*

*Aid for families of those killed by lightning*

*No farmer should be left saying their paddy wasn't procured*

*Officials must act with empathy during disasters**

*Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu**

Amaravati, May 5, 2025 (prajaamaravati):Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure that compensation is disbursed to farmers who suffered crop losses due to unseasonal rains by tomorrow evening. He emphasized that the crop damage assessment must be completed immediately and every affected farmer must receive government compensation without delay. He also instructed that ex gratia payments be promptly released to the families of the eight people who lost their lives due to lightning strikes.

The Chief Minister conducted a review at the Secretariat with agriculture and disaster management officials on the impact of the recent rains. District collectors participated via video conference. He inquired about the crop and human losses in rain-affected areas, and collectors briefed him on the ground realities.

CM Chandrababu said that, as further rainfall is forecast in several districts, collectors and officials should alert the public and take precautionary measures to avoid casualties. He urged officials to act with a humanitarian approach during times of disaster. If mobile alerts fail to reach people during lightning strikes, officials should personally visit and warn nearby communities. He instructed that staff at village secretariats be prepared accordingly.

He also ordered that compensation for livestock deaths due to lightning be released immediately, as per norms, and suggested that collectors coordinate with grassroots-level officials based on local conditions.

*Crop Damage Details*

According to preliminary reports submitted to the Chief Minister:

* Paddy and maize crops were damaged across 2,224 hectares due to unseasonal rains.

* The worst-affected districts include West Godavari (1,033 ha in 15 mandals), Nandyal (641 ha), Kakinada (530 ha), and Sri Sathya Sai (20 ha).

*Horticultural Crop Damage*

Horticulture officials reported that banana, papaya, and mango crops were particularly affected, with total damage across 138 hectares** in districts including Krishna, Eluru, Kakinada, NTR, Tirupati, Nandyal, and West Godavari.

*No Excuse for Not Procuring Paddy*

Special Secretary of Civil Supplies, Saurabh Gaur, informed the Chief Minister that the Rabi paddy procurement target is 20 lakh metric tonnes, of which 13 lakh metric tonnes have already been procured. He added that steps are being taken to procure discolored paddy due to rains.

The Chief Minister stressed that all paddy from farmers must be procured without exception, even if the harvest exceeds estimates. He assured that, if needed, the government would coordinate with the Centre to handle surplus procurement. “No farmer should be left saying their paddy wasn’t purchased,”he insisted.

*Administrative Sensitivity During Disasters*

The Chief Minister urged that government officials should not merely carry out relief operations, but also proactively prevent losses through preparedness. He recalled the efficient handling of Cyclone Hudhud, during which lives were saved due to such foresight. Going forward, he said, the RTGS AWARE division and disaster management agencies would issue timely weather alerts, and district collectors must ensure zero casualties by acting accordingly.

He emphasized that the state now possesses robust administrative and technical capabilities, which must be fully leveraged. In areas where technology cannot reach, human intervention is crucial to prevent tragedies. He instructed collectors to hold teleconferences with mandal-level officers to closely monitor preparedness activities.

*Appreciation for Power Department*

The Chief Minister commended the electricity department officials and staff for swiftly restoring power infrastructure damaged by the rains across various districts.