CM tells officials to gear up for heavy monsoon or its playing truant

The south-west monsoon is uncertain at this stage. Therefore, officials should be alert and do the needful for the farmers who should not be made to feel let down, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said during the teleconference with people's representatives under the `Neeru-Chettu Panta Sanjivani' programme. He feared that in the event of the monsoon not breaking out, being delayed and the clouds moving away, there was a danger of the farmers facing loss. The officials must keep the farmers spirits up. The officials should take up such works as digging tanks for farmers, introducing rain guns for water distribution for crops and so on. This would encourage the farmers. The administration was not going to brook neglect on the part of officials in this regard. The farmers tanks would come in handy in case the monsoon rain is not adequate. Rain guns can help minimise water use. In case of copious rain, the bunds of tanks should be strengthened so they do not breach. The collectors should make it a point to visit all irrigation tanks in their respective districts. If the administration could take these simple measures, the farmers would not lose their agriculture season. The chances of getting the harvest at the right time would brighten. He said in this regard that government's duty is to provide life assurance to the people. Therefore, food security, water, electricity, fodder, cyber and scientific aid and ensuring all these become the responsibility of the government/officials.