CPI(M) urges government to declare Anantapur as drought hit

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that Anantapur district be declared as drought-hit and the 31 mandals be designated as drought mandals.The party’s district committee, in a press release on Wednesday, announced that protests would be held across the district on September 25 and 26 to highlight farmers’ distress, followed by a dharna in front of the Collector’s office on September 28.The party functionaries said that the district was reeling under severe drought, with crops withering in fields and drinking water and fodder becoming scarce.As part of its 12-point charter, the party demanded complete waiver of crop loans, input subsidy of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers whose standing crops were lost, and ₹30,000 per acre for those who could not take up sowing in ayacut and upland areas. It also demanded that the Centre declare drought as a national calamity and announce a special package of ₹20,000 crore for Anantapur. Published - September 23, 2026 07:34 pm IST