The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today assured that all the public sector banks in Andhra Pradesh would take steps within one month to provide financial assistance to at least one member of each of the families of the farmers who committed suicide. The Prime Minister today visited Dharmapur village in Mahabubnagar district in Andhra Pradesh and interacted with the bereaved families. He talked to about 40 members of 13 families and distributed an ex-gratia of Rs.19.5 lakh announced by the State Government.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he came to Andhra Pradesh for the first time after becoming the Prime Minister to see personally the plight of the farmers and the drought situation in the State. He assured that the Central and the State Governments would do everything possible to help the farmers who are reeling under severe drought. In addition, Dr. Singh announced a special package of Rs. 45 lakh for Dharmapur village to undertake various developmental activities.

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited a photo exhibition depicting the severe drought conditions in the State.

Among others, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Culture; Shri K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Union Minister; Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; several MPs and MLAs were present on the occasion.