Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu today held a teleconference with senior officials of various departments and district collectors to review the impact of El Nino and the measures to be taken.
The Chief Minister directed officials to focus on supporting farmers and keeping prices of essential commodities under control during the situation. He ordered immediate measures to control the prices of rice, onions, palm oil and red gram.
Mr. Naidu instructed officials to release rice stocks from storage facilities into the market. He also called for increased procurement of onions and promotion of cultivation to meet future demand.
The Chief Minister said the state has recorded more than 50 per cent rainfall deficit affecting agricultural operations, which have begun in only 79 per cent of the area.
