Archive · 21 Sep 2026
CPM Seeks Drought Mandals, Rs 1 Lakh Crore Relief Package
The CPM says drought is badly hurting farmers and farm workers in the State.
It claims that 54% of crops have been damaged.
The party wants the State government to identify the worst-affected mandals quickly.
It also wants the Centre to call the drought a national disaster.
CPM leaders have requested a Rs 1 lakh crore relief package.
They want loan waivers and more paid work for people in rural areas.
They also want money for tenant farmers and fodder centres for cattle.
The party supports protests planned for September 21.
CPM urged the Andhra Pradesh government to immediately declare drought-hit mandals.
The party alleged that 54% of crops had been damaged across the State.
It asked the Centre to declare the drought a national disaster and provide Rs 1 lakh crore.
CPM sought loan waivers, compensation for tenant farmers and expanded rural employment support.
The party backed protests planned for September 21 over drought-related demands.
- Who
- CPM State secretary V Srinivasa Rao, along with party leaders, made the demands.
- What
- The CPM called for drought-hit mandals to be declared and for State and Central relief measures.
- When
- The demands were announced on Sunday; protests were planned for September 21, and the government had indicated declarations by October 1.
- Where
- The press conference was held at Balotsav Bhavan in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The CPM said worsening drought had damaged crops and harmed farmers, tenant farmers and agricultural labourers.
CPM and affected groups
State government's indicated timeline
Timing of drought declarations
CPM and affected groups
The CPM wants drought-hit mandals to be declared immediately, saying the situation is worsening.
State government's indicated timeline
The government had indicated that drought mandals would be declared by October 1.
Scale of relief
CPM and affected groups
The CPM is seeking a Rs 1 lakh crore Central relief package and a national-disaster declaration.
State government's indicated timeline
The article does not state that the Centre has accepted the national-disaster declaration or the requested package.
Support for affected workers
CPM and affected groups
The CPM wants loan waivers, 200 days of employment at a minimum Rs 310 daily wage, tenant-farmer compensation and cattle fodder centres.
State government's indicated timeline
The article does not provide a detailed government response to these specific demands.
- Reported crop damage
- 54% of crops, according to the CPM
- Requested relief package
- Rs 1 lakh crore from the Centre
- Employment demand
- 200 days under the rural employment guarantee scheme
- Requested daily wage
- At least Rs 310 per day
- Tenant farmer compensation
- Rs 50,000 for each tenant farmer family
- Planned protests
- September 21
- Government timeline mentioned
- Drought-hit mandals were indicated to be declared by October 1