Parties dish out unfair deal to fair sex
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 02 Apr 2009 03:51:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 02 Apr 2009 12:59:18 PM IST
HYDERABAD: All the political parties in the State have adopted an unfair approach towards the fairer sex in the elections, if one goes by the list of the candidates finalised so far for the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly.
Albeit their tall talk of providing 33 per cent reservations to women in legislative bodies and extending support to a Bill in the Parliament if women’s reservation bill is introduced, the major political parties, in practice, seem to be higly gender-biased.
The Congress is a shade better than others: it gave five Lok Sabha seats to women, including D Purandeswari, B Jhansi, Renuka Chowdury and Panabaka Lakshmi. Heroines R K Roja and Vijayasanti are in the Grand Alliance list.
The Congress fielded 33 women candidates instead of providing 33 per cent seats for the Assembly, while the TDP came with a poor 17 seats. There are four women in the TDP list for the Lok Sabha. The TRS fielded no woman for the Assembly but allotted only one Lok Sabha seat for Vijayasanti.
The Opposition TDP, which always reposed faith in women voters for victory, ignored them this time, as the party “cannot take risk” in the current elections as they are crucial for the party. The party searched for `winning horses’ but it did not include many women. The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), the Lok Satta Party (LSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too gave less priority to women in the Assembly elections. The same is the case with the Left parties. Even if the parties have allotted tickets to women, they are either seasoned politicians or relatives of senior leaders. Very few women who are fresh to public life found a place in the lists of parties.
“When I approached the TDP for a ticket, a politburo member told me that the party could not take a risk this time,” an aspirant and former MLA Katragadda Prasuna said. In the 2004 elections, the TDP gave more number of seats to women. “The party leaders told me that they could not take a chance this time like in the 2004 elections,” Prasuna said. Reason? This was going to be a fiercely fought election and winning every Assembly seat was a must to form the next government.
“As the parties were hunting for winning horses, women candidates did not get tickets,” a TDP woman leader said.
The situation in the TRS is very strange. Not a single woman finds a place in the Pink party’s list for the Assembly.
The TRS has fielded only one woman candidate -- Vijayashanti -- for the Lok Sabha. “I too feel bad that not many women have got seats,” actress and TRS secretary general Vijayashanti said. “Due to alliances, women could not get many seats in the Grand Alliance,” she added.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Zing missing at NTR Bhavan
Zing missing at NTR Bhavan
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 25 Apr 2009 08:10:24 AM ISTLast Updated :
HYDERABAD: Though the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that the Grand Alliance would get absolute majority, the mood at the party office was somewhat sullen today.
Except a few senior leaders like K Yerran Naidu and N Janardhan Reddy, no one turned up at the party office. The party activists yesterday had burst firecrackers.
But, there was not much activity in front of the NTR Bhavan today.
However, the party leaders were hoping that the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) would work wonders for the TDP.
The party backroom boys were engaged in a constituency-wise analysis on how the party had fared in the segments.
After analysing the poll trends in the 294 Assembly segments, they felt that the large turnout of women voters would help the party form the next government.
They felt that though the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) would get some votes from the youth, the TDP would also get a considerable share of votes from the youth.
The party leaders, however, were not sure of how first-time voters might have reacted this time. They felt most of the first-timers might have voted for the Lok Satta Party or the PRP while a few of them might have voted for the TDP.
After heated discussions, the party leaders ultimately put up a brave face and opined that the Grand Alliance would form the government.
Most of the candidates who campaigned vigorously in the hot summer were seen taking rest to overcome the tension over the outcome.
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 25 Apr 2009 08:10:24 AM ISTLast Updated :
HYDERABAD: Though the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that the Grand Alliance would get absolute majority, the mood at the party office was somewhat sullen today.
Except a few senior leaders like K Yerran Naidu and N Janardhan Reddy, no one turned up at the party office. The party activists yesterday had burst firecrackers.
But, there was not much activity in front of the NTR Bhavan today.
However, the party leaders were hoping that the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) would work wonders for the TDP.
The party backroom boys were engaged in a constituency-wise analysis on how the party had fared in the segments.
After analysing the poll trends in the 294 Assembly segments, they felt that the large turnout of women voters would help the party form the next government.
They felt that though the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) would get some votes from the youth, the TDP would also get a considerable share of votes from the youth.
The party leaders, however, were not sure of how first-time voters might have reacted this time. They felt most of the first-timers might have voted for the Lok Satta Party or the PRP while a few of them might have voted for the TDP.
After heated discussions, the party leaders ultimately put up a brave face and opined that the Grand Alliance would form the government.
Most of the candidates who campaigned vigorously in the hot summer were seen taking rest to overcome the tension over the outcome.
TDP may fare well only in 3 dists of Andhra, R’seema
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 04 May 2009 08:21:22 AM ISTLast Updated : 04 May 2009 10:45:20 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is expecting a simple majority in the Assembly to form the government, is likely to get a good number of seats only in three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
The internal appraisal of the party indicated that the TDP fared well in Guntur, Chittoor and Anantapur districts. TDP leaders are not confident of getting a fair number of Assembly seats in the remaining districts.
With these indications, doubts are increasing in the party on getting a simple majority in the Assembly.
The TDP, which had been strong in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions till 2004, is now skeptical about getting many seats in the areas where there is a triangular fight among the TDP, the PRP and the Congress.
After analysing the poll trends, the TDP leaders are now revealing that the party would get more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in only three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
According to sources, TDP leaders are confident of winning more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in Guntur, Chittor and Anantapur districts of the total nine districts which went to the polls in the second phase on April 23.
The TDP is expected to get 10 Assembly seats out of 17 in Guntur district.
If there was a silent wave in favour of the TDP, the party would get a maximum of 14 Assembly seats, party sources said.
However, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu expected that his party would sweep all the seats in Guntur district.
In Anantapur, a TDP bastion, party leaders expect to win eight to 10 Assembly seats out of the total 14 seats in the district. Likewise, in Chittoor district too, the TDP is expecting to win seven to 10 Assembly seats out of the 14 seats in the district.
TDP leaders are not sure of the party sweeping the polls in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, the twin Godavari districts, Krishna, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts. Even in Krishna district, the PRP’s presence was strong in East Krishna, a TDP leader admitted.
However, TDP leaders are not confident of getting a good number of seats in other districts.
In such a scenario, the TDP would not get a simple majority in the elections to form the government, analysts felt.
However, TDP leaders are exuding confidence that the Grand Alliance would form the next government.
And, even though there are rumours that the TDP is in touch with some former TDP leaders who contested on behalf of the PRP in the elections, party general secretary K Srihari has dismissed such reports, saying, “We will form the next government.
We are not consulting with leaders of the PRP.’’
HYDERABAD: The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is expecting a simple majority in the Assembly to form the government, is likely to get a good number of seats only in three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
The internal appraisal of the party indicated that the TDP fared well in Guntur, Chittoor and Anantapur districts. TDP leaders are not confident of getting a fair number of Assembly seats in the remaining districts.
With these indications, doubts are increasing in the party on getting a simple majority in the Assembly.
The TDP, which had been strong in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions till 2004, is now skeptical about getting many seats in the areas where there is a triangular fight among the TDP, the PRP and the Congress.
After analysing the poll trends, the TDP leaders are now revealing that the party would get more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in only three districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
According to sources, TDP leaders are confident of winning more than 60 per cent of the Assembly seats in Guntur, Chittor and Anantapur districts of the total nine districts which went to the polls in the second phase on April 23.
The TDP is expected to get 10 Assembly seats out of 17 in Guntur district.
If there was a silent wave in favour of the TDP, the party would get a maximum of 14 Assembly seats, party sources said.
However, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu expected that his party would sweep all the seats in Guntur district.
In Anantapur, a TDP bastion, party leaders expect to win eight to 10 Assembly seats out of the total 14 seats in the district. Likewise, in Chittoor district too, the TDP is expecting to win seven to 10 Assembly seats out of the 14 seats in the district.
TDP leaders are not sure of the party sweeping the polls in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, the twin Godavari districts, Krishna, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts. Even in Krishna district, the PRP’s presence was strong in East Krishna, a TDP leader admitted.
However, TDP leaders are not confident of getting a good number of seats in other districts.
In such a scenario, the TDP would not get a simple majority in the elections to form the government, analysts felt.
However, TDP leaders are exuding confidence that the Grand Alliance would form the next government.
And, even though there are rumours that the TDP is in touch with some former TDP leaders who contested on behalf of the PRP in the elections, party general secretary K Srihari has dismissed such reports, saying, “We will form the next government.
We are not consulting with leaders of the PRP.’’
Reddy loyalists pitch for his son as successor
Reddy loyalists pitch for his son as successor
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 04 Sep 2009 12:46:00 AM ISTLast Updated :
HYDERABAD: Even before the tragic news of the death of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had sunk in, hectic parleys began in the Congress on who should succeed him.
Though Finance Minister K Rosaiah, the senior most in the Cabinet, was sworn in on Thursday evening as the caretaker chief minister, Rosaiah made it clear that this arrangement was ‘‘interim in nature’’ and he would hold the responsibility only till the Congress high command picked Reddy’s successor.
As if to block the chances of anyone else being considered, a significant number of Congress legislators, including some ministers, issued public statements stating that Rajasekhara Reddy’s son, Jaganmohan Reddy, should be the natural choice for the post. ‘‘The party needs a young leader to take it forward at this critical juncture. Jagan is the right choice,’’ Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy declared.
Jaganmohan was elected to the Parliament from Kadapa for the first time this year. However, his candidature may not be automatically accepted by a section of the Congress legislators who do not sail with him for a variety of reasons.
The other possible contender for the CM’s post could be Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy. The Congress has just about enough majority in the Assembly — 156 as against the required minimum strength of 147.
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 04 Sep 2009 12:46:00 AM ISTLast Updated :
HYDERABAD: Even before the tragic news of the death of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had sunk in, hectic parleys began in the Congress on who should succeed him.
Though Finance Minister K Rosaiah, the senior most in the Cabinet, was sworn in on Thursday evening as the caretaker chief minister, Rosaiah made it clear that this arrangement was ‘‘interim in nature’’ and he would hold the responsibility only till the Congress high command picked Reddy’s successor.
As if to block the chances of anyone else being considered, a significant number of Congress legislators, including some ministers, issued public statements stating that Rajasekhara Reddy’s son, Jaganmohan Reddy, should be the natural choice for the post. ‘‘The party needs a young leader to take it forward at this critical juncture. Jagan is the right choice,’’ Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy declared.
Jaganmohan was elected to the Parliament from Kadapa for the first time this year. However, his candidature may not be automatically accepted by a section of the Congress legislators who do not sail with him for a variety of reasons.
The other possible contender for the CM’s post could be Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy. The Congress has just about enough majority in the Assembly — 156 as against the required minimum strength of 147.
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Divided Oppn keeps YSR Govt smiling
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 13 Jul 2009 09:52:02 AM IST
Last Updated :
HYDERABAD: Though the Budget session of the State Legislative Assembly, scheduled to commence later this month, may be crucial, the ruling Congress is not very much worried. The reason? The divided Opposition.
The Congress won only 155 seats in the election and YS Rajasekhara Reddy formed the government for the second time. This is the first-ever government with such a simple majority in the Assembly.
In contrast, there were six major Opposition parties having a record number of 126 members in the House. This is also the first time the ruling party is facing such a strong Opposition.
The strong Opposition is divided and is brawling among themselves.
First, it was the Telugu Desam party (TDP) which blamed the Praja Rajyam party (PRP) and the Lok Satta Party (LSP) for its poll debacle. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the other Opposition parties, instead of supporting the main Opposition party, were aiding the ruling Congress.
PRP president Chiranjeevi retorted by alleging that Naidu was not behaving like a responsible Opposition leader. He not only said that Naidu had failed to coordinate with other Opposition parties but also went a step ahead doubting the `mental balance’ of Naidu.
On the other, the LSP too strongly reacted to TDP’s allegations on party funds.
The LSP challenged the TDP to a debate on the party funds. The TDP alleged that the LSP had taken money from the Congress and helped it to defeat the TDP in the recent elections.
The two Left parties too are not hiding their `mutual hate’. The Left parties are accusing each other for the poor show in the elections. CPI State secretary K Narayana wondered whether CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu had the `brain’ at all. Retorting to this, Raghavulu said: ``People will judge who has the brain and who has not.’’ The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has barely overcome the crisis of recent internal squabbles. But it too has pointed fingers at the TDP for the poll debacle.
The PRP and TDP too are facing internal problems. Several leaders are quitting the PRP. The TDP faced problems from Kovur MLA N Prasannakumar Reddy and Talasani Srinivasa Yadav.
As the floor coordination among the Opposition parties is doubtful, the ruling Congress has an advantage of the support from the seven-member MIM, which could also help the party in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections.
First Published : 13 Jul 2009 09:52:02 AM IST
Last Updated :
HYDERABAD: Though the Budget session of the State Legislative Assembly, scheduled to commence later this month, may be crucial, the ruling Congress is not very much worried. The reason? The divided Opposition.
The Congress won only 155 seats in the election and YS Rajasekhara Reddy formed the government for the second time. This is the first-ever government with such a simple majority in the Assembly.
In contrast, there were six major Opposition parties having a record number of 126 members in the House. This is also the first time the ruling party is facing such a strong Opposition.
The strong Opposition is divided and is brawling among themselves.
First, it was the Telugu Desam party (TDP) which blamed the Praja Rajyam party (PRP) and the Lok Satta Party (LSP) for its poll debacle. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the other Opposition parties, instead of supporting the main Opposition party, were aiding the ruling Congress.
PRP president Chiranjeevi retorted by alleging that Naidu was not behaving like a responsible Opposition leader. He not only said that Naidu had failed to coordinate with other Opposition parties but also went a step ahead doubting the `mental balance’ of Naidu.
On the other, the LSP too strongly reacted to TDP’s allegations on party funds.
The LSP challenged the TDP to a debate on the party funds. The TDP alleged that the LSP had taken money from the Congress and helped it to defeat the TDP in the recent elections.
The two Left parties too are not hiding their `mutual hate’. The Left parties are accusing each other for the poor show in the elections. CPI State secretary K Narayana wondered whether CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu had the `brain’ at all. Retorting to this, Raghavulu said: ``People will judge who has the brain and who has not.’’ The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has barely overcome the crisis of recent internal squabbles. But it too has pointed fingers at the TDP for the poll debacle.
The PRP and TDP too are facing internal problems. Several leaders are quitting the PRP. The TDP faced problems from Kovur MLA N Prasannakumar Reddy and Talasani Srinivasa Yadav.
As the floor coordination among the Opposition parties is doubtful, the ruling Congress has an advantage of the support from the seven-member MIM, which could also help the party in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections.
Banks blacklist loan waiver beneficiaries
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 13 Jul 2009 09:36:39 AM IST
Last Updated :
HYDERABAD: There is an unofficial moratorium on sanctioning of fresh crop loans to farmers who got complete loan waiver in the State last year. Bankers have blacklisted a majority of the farmers who had failed to repay loans and got relief from the government.
Last year, a record 63.41 lakh small and marginal farmers got complete loan waiver to the tune of Rs 11,354 crore in the State. Farmers having more than five acres got Rs 20,000 relief while the others got a waiver of 25 per cent of the loan amount.
Several bankers are not coming forward to sanction fresh loans to ‘willful defaulters’ in the kharif season as they fear that the farmers who got loan waiver may default this time too and look for government’s assistance again, admits a bank manager. However, there are no written orders to this effect.
‘‘I have cleared my Rs 30,000 due 15 days ago but the bank manager is not issuing a fresh loan,’’ complains Gouda Alivelu of Uppununthala. Several farmers who repaid loans have the same complaint with the bankers.
‘‘Earlier, whenever I approached the bank for a crop loan, they sanctioned it within two days. But this year, I have been making rounds to the bank for the past 20 days without success,’’ Ramulamma, another farmer, alleges.
‘‘We are not giving priority in sanctioning fresh loans to the farmers who got relief from the government,’’ a branch manager of AP Grameen Vikas Bank, pleading anonymity, told Express.
Issuing loans to new farmers is the government’s top priority this year.
Taking advantage of this, the bankers are looking for new loanees and avoiding those who had benefited from the loan waiver.
However, the Andhra Bank general manager, attached to State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) wing, told Express that there was no ban on issuing crop loans to farmers who got the loan waiver. However, he admitted that managers of some branches may not issue loans to ‘willful defaulters’.
Confessions of a banker
‘‘We are not giving priority to the farmers who got relief from the government,’’ a branch manager of AP Grameen Vikas Bank, pleading anonymity, told Express. An Andhra Bank general manager, attached to State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) wing, however, told Express that there was no ban on issuing crop loans to farmers who got the loan waiver. Nonetheless, he admitted that managers of some branches may not issue loans to ‘willful defaulters’
First Published : 13 Jul 2009 09:36:39 AM IST
Last Updated :
HYDERABAD: There is an unofficial moratorium on sanctioning of fresh crop loans to farmers who got complete loan waiver in the State last year. Bankers have blacklisted a majority of the farmers who had failed to repay loans and got relief from the government.
Last year, a record 63.41 lakh small and marginal farmers got complete loan waiver to the tune of Rs 11,354 crore in the State. Farmers having more than five acres got Rs 20,000 relief while the others got a waiver of 25 per cent of the loan amount.
Several bankers are not coming forward to sanction fresh loans to ‘willful defaulters’ in the kharif season as they fear that the farmers who got loan waiver may default this time too and look for government’s assistance again, admits a bank manager. However, there are no written orders to this effect.
‘‘I have cleared my Rs 30,000 due 15 days ago but the bank manager is not issuing a fresh loan,’’ complains Gouda Alivelu of Uppununthala. Several farmers who repaid loans have the same complaint with the bankers.
‘‘Earlier, whenever I approached the bank for a crop loan, they sanctioned it within two days. But this year, I have been making rounds to the bank for the past 20 days without success,’’ Ramulamma, another farmer, alleges.
‘‘We are not giving priority in sanctioning fresh loans to the farmers who got relief from the government,’’ a branch manager of AP Grameen Vikas Bank, pleading anonymity, told Express.
Issuing loans to new farmers is the government’s top priority this year.
Taking advantage of this, the bankers are looking for new loanees and avoiding those who had benefited from the loan waiver.
However, the Andhra Bank general manager, attached to State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) wing, told Express that there was no ban on issuing crop loans to farmers who got the loan waiver. However, he admitted that managers of some branches may not issue loans to ‘willful defaulters’.
Confessions of a banker
‘‘We are not giving priority to the farmers who got relief from the government,’’ a branch manager of AP Grameen Vikas Bank, pleading anonymity, told Express. An Andhra Bank general manager, attached to State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) wing, however, told Express that there was no ban on issuing crop loans to farmers who got the loan waiver. Nonetheless, he admitted that managers of some branches may not issue loans to ‘willful defaulters’
Research failure behind red gram shortage?
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 24 Aug 2009 03:46:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 24 Aug 2009 10:55:49 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Lack of focused research on red gram (pigeon pea) has apparently led to the present situation of acute shortage of pulses and price touching an all-time high of Rs 100 per kilo.
``Not much research has gone into red gram crop,’’ Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy told reporters in an informal chat recently.
Several decades of neglect have seen yield per acre stagnating at between 2 to 3.5 tonnes per acre.
This is in contrast with wheat and rice which have benefited from extensive research. The yield per acre of wheat, which used to be just 8 to 10 quintals a few years ago, is now between 25 and 50 quintals.
Similarly, productivity of paddy was just 13 quintals, but with improved seed varieties it now touches 50 quintals per acre in rabi and 40 in kharif.
The reason for lack of research in pulses, especially in red gram, is that none has recognised pulses as major food crops. But over a period of time consumption of redgram has increased in the country for its nutritional value.
When NT Rama Rao was chief minister and wanted to distribute the 1,000 acres of surplus lands of the Challapalli Zamindar in Krishna district, some suggested that a pulses research station be set up there. But litigation put paid to the proposal.
The officials the leased in 110 acres and started a research station for pulses in Challapalli, but the work there seems not very effective for want of proper monitoring.
Several farmer organisations have been urging the State Government to start a ``rice fallow pulses research station’’ in the State. Though there is an ongoing all-India coordinated research project on pigeon pea, the technology has yet to be transferred from lab to farm.
With 20 per cent protein, red gram is an important supplement to an energy rich cereal diet.
According to sources at the Indian Institute of Pulses Research, the production of red gram increased from 1.7 million tonnes in 1950 to 2.8 million tonnes in 2006.
However, the crop acreage has hardly increased over the years.
Consequently, per capita availability of pigeon pea is very low, the IIPR sources said.
TDP leader Ummareddy Venkateswarlu has demanded that the State Government establish a research station on pulses focusing on improvement in yield and quality, and boosting of biotic and abiotic resistance.
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com
YSR aims to storm Babu’s citadel
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 02 Sep 2009 03:19:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Sep 2009 09:32:21 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Target Chittoor. The Congress is moving pawns to hoist its flag, the `tricolour’, on the `yellow fort’. Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy is targeting Chittoor district, which is considered to be the fiefdom of Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu.
Reddy vowed to send more number of Lok Sabha members to Delhi from the State to enable the Congress get absolute majority in the Lok Sabha in 2014.
He is also working on a strategy to ensure a huge majority for the Congress in the State Assembly in the next election. Towards this end, he has been concentrating on Chittoor, the home district of the TDP chief.
The chief minister has a two-pronged strategy to decimate the TDP in the district. First, he is focusing on development of the district. Recently he has secured two projects, a turbines and boilers manufacturing unit at Mannavaram and an international airport at Tirupati. Even TDP MLAs from Chittoor district complimented the chief minister for securing the sanction of the two big projects for the backward district. Second, he is making political moves. Several TDP leaders are being lured into the Congress.
In a major catch, he netted Telugu Mahila president RK Roja for the party.
According to sources, the Congress is also targeting other leaders.
Though Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy met the chief minister to congratulate him on bringing two big projects to the district, rumours are rife that he may join the Congress, his stout denials notwithstanding. The TDP, which was routed in coastal Andhra in the Assembly election, managed to win six of the 14 Assembly seats from Chittoor district.
It is a force to reckon with in the district and the Congress is trying hard to minimise its rival’s influence in the district.
The Congress was power in the State only for ten years during the 27-year period since the founding of the TDP in 1982.
“As we were in the Opposition for a long time, we did not focus our attention on Chittoor district. Nor in the past five years during my stint as chief minister,’’ admits Reddy.
The Congress tried to reduce the margin of the TDP chief ’s victory in Kuppam in the recent election and succeeded to some extent. ``With the support base in Kuppam the TDP was able to win the Chittoor Lok Sabha seat. had its majority in Kuppam been reduced, the Congress would have won the Chittoor Lok Sabha seat,’’ Reddy told reporters recently.
Sensing his bete noire’s game-plan, Naidu had alleged prior to the elections that the Congress was replicating Pulivendula-mark politics in Kuppam.
The visibly shaken former chief minister campaigned for the first time for himself in his constituency.
Till then he had never campaigned in the four successive elections he fought in Kuppam. Taking no chances, he even marshalled the film glamour of Balakrishna and the charm of his young son Lokesh to tilt the scales in his favour
Yields of rainfed crops may fall drastically
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 31 Aug 2009 03:03:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 31 Aug 2009 09:42:25 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The effect of drought is now being felt.
Twenty three per cent of crops sown have withered due to lack of sufficient rain.
The total cropped area is 49.57 lakh hectares against the normal 79.07 lakh hectares.
Though, with the late rains infused some confidence among farming community, the farmers in almost all the districts were facing pest and disease problems.
Now, officials are estimating that due to dry spell in the first two months, the yield levels of rainfed crops may be reduced drastically during Kharif season.
According to the statistics available with the Agricultural Department, cotton and soyabean are the only crops sown in more than 100 per cent of the normal sowing area. Horsegram and chillies were sown in less than 25 per cent area.
Due to the recent rains the agricultural activity picked up. The total area sown in the State is 49.57 lakh hectares, i.e. 63 per cent of the normal sowing of 79.07 lakh hectares till this week.
Paddy, bajra, sunflower, seasamum and mesta were sown covering 26 to 50 per cent area. Jowar, ragi, maize, redgram, green gram, black gram, groundnut, castor, sugarcane, onion and turneric were sown in 76 to 100 per cent area.
The agricultural activity is in full swing only in Nellore, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Rangareddy and Adilabad districts.
The activity is yet to pick up in Anantapur, Guntur, Nalgonda, Kadapa and Prakasam districts. The activity was moderate in the remaining districts, according to official sources.
Erratic rainfall in the State has resulted in poor sowing of rainfed crops. With the recent rains, the transplantation of paddy is in progress. Where moisture is available, the inter cultivation operations are in progress in early sown crops.
The standing crop of sugarcane is at vegetative stage. The early sown groundnut is at peg penetration to harvesting state. Ragi is at dough stage. Pulses and soyabean are at vegetative to flowering stage. Cotton is at boil development stage.
The yield of kharif paddy is also likely to be reduced as the plantation was completed in only 12.42 lakh hectares. This is only 49 per cent of the seasonal plantation area. In khariff-2008, plantation of paddy was completed in 19.03 lakh hectares by the end of August.
The cotton was the only crop which was sown in 105 per cent area than the normal area. Cotton was sown in 12 lakh hectares till date as against the normal area of 11.41 lakh hectares.
The sparse commodity red gram was sown only in 2.92 lakh hectares against the normal area of 4.52 hectares. In all foodgrains were sown in 23.24 lakh hectares against the normal area of 42.09 hectares. Chillies were also sown only in 0.34 lakh hectares against the normal area of 1.62 hectares.
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com
Sunday 6 September 2009
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