Chandrababu Naidu criticises PM over 'insufficient' cyclone relief

VIJAYAWADA: TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the Centre has short-changed people from Seemandhra region by not providing enough financial assistance to them in the wake of cyclones that affected the region recently.

"Why Centre did not consider damage caused by recent cyclones in Andhra Pradesh as a national calamity?..Though the state government had sought Rs 6,500 crore for relief and rehabilitation, the prime minister gave a meagre Rs 1,000 crore," Naidu said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his "stock-taking" tour of the affected areas in East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts, in the wake of cyclones 'Phailin' and 'Helen'.

"The prime minister failed not only to visit affected areas but also in providing financial assistance for rehabilitation of people," Naidu alleged.

The former chief minister said while people in Seemandhra region are suffering due to the calamity, ministers from Seemandhra region are "campaigning" in Delhi.

The TDP chief demanded that Centre must ensure that damaged crops are bought from farmers.