Hyderabad: Moved by the plight of farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (July, 1, 2004) announced release of Rs 60 crores from the Calamity Relief Fund, 1.82 lakh tonnes of food grains, to provide employment in rural areas and measures to augment credit flow to agricultural sector.

Rounding off a day-long visit to the State, his first tour outside national capital, Singh said the Centre would bring forward a new Seed Act to regularise and standardise the quality of seeds being supplied to farmers.

"We have agreed to provide immediate cash relief to start food for work programme to provide employment to drought affected villages.

"We are making available 1.82 lakh tonnes of food grains in addition to the six lakh tonnes already made available," Prime Minister said after visiting two villages in Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts and interacting with families of farmers who committed suicides in recent times.

He said the Government has instructed Andhra Bank to coordinate with four other banks in the state to visit all families, which have lost their breadwinners.

"With the help of State Government these banks will extend support to farmers to ensure a steady income. These will be done within the next 30 days and will be monitored by State Government as well as my office", Prime Minister said.