M A I N   N E W S

AP fit case for more aid: Nitish

HYDERABAD, Aug 26 (PTI) — Describing the devastation caused by rain as “severe”, Union Agriculture Minister Nitish Kumar today said “Andhra Pradesh was a fit case for additional Central aid”.

Speaking to mediapersons here after surveying the flood-affected areas, Mr Nitish Kumar said: “I will speak to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and see what best can be done in providing adequate relief”.

“I have personally seen the extent of damage and as the loss was substantial”, he said after a survey of the affected areas of Guntur, Nadyal and the state capital along with a team of Central officials.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who was present at the press conference, said the state had urged the Centre for an immediate relief of Rs 300 crore and the preliminary estimate of loss was pegged at Rs 700 crore.

Without specifying the quantum of relief, Mr Nitish Kumar said the officials of the state and the Centre were assessing the loss and the final figure would be worked out on the basis of these two reports.