Telangana seeks more central aid for drought relief

Telangana Government has sought more central assistance for drought relief and to tide over the drinking water problem. State Panchayat Raj Minister Taraka Ramarao urged the Centre during a review meeting with Union Rural Development Minister Choudhary Birender Singh and Minister of State for drinking Water Supply Ram Kripal Yadav in Hyderabad last evening. He informed the central ministers that the Centre released only 791 crore rupees for drought relief though the state had sought an assistance of over three thousand crores and 72 crore rupees towards drinking water supply against 555 crore sought. He requested the centre to release more funds. An official statement said the two central ministers however informed that Niti Aayog is likely to provide more funds for drought relief. Meanwhile, the Met officials predicted that heat wave conditions will prevail over Telangana for next three days. The mercury levels crossed 40 degrees Celsius in almost all districts during the past 24 hours. Nizamabad recorded the highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius while it was 42.8 degrees in Adilabad and Medak. The state government has asked the labour and employment department to ensure that outdoor workers are not made to work between 1pm and 4 pm.