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KAKINADA, Nov. 7

THE Andhra Pradesh Government is toying with the idea of introducing cash component in the food-for-work programme meant for the agricultural labour in the drought-hit areas,according to Mr Y. Ramakrishnudu, Finance Minister.

He was talking to presspersons at Tuni in East Godavari district on Wednesday evening. The Minister said that till now only foodgrains had been given for works executed under the programme and several practical problems had cropped up as a result.

The Government, therefore, was thinking of introducing the cash component for at least some types of works. He said the Government would review the drought situation periodically and take up necessary works till May to help the labour in the drought-hit areas.

He rebutted allegations of large-scale irregularities in the programme and said the Government had initiated steps to prevent misuse of rice released under the programme.

The Minister said the State Government had sought Rs 1,210 crore from the Centre and 2.5 m.t. of rice more to tackle the drought situation. The State had so far spent Rs 214 crore on this score.

Mr Ramakrishnudu said the allegations of the Congress party that the State Government was spending lavishly on hiring consultants in various departments was unwarranted and there was no need to publish a white paper on the consultancy fees as sought by the party.

For instance, he said, the State Government could attract more than Rs 1,000 crore of private investment to the tourism sector since 1995 when the Telugu Desam assumed power.

Tourism sector had remained dormant during the Congress rule, he said and added that the improvement could be attributed largely to the consultants.

He claimed the economic reforms in the State were attracting other States but the main Opposition party was only politicising the economic issues.

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