Unseasonal rain in the last few days in Andhra Pradesh claimed six lives, besides causing extensive damage to agricultural and horticultural crops in over one lakh acres. Agriculture Minister P. Pulla Rao told reporters on Monday that two persons each were killed in Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapur districts and the deaths were mainly caused by thunderbolts. The government decided to give an ex gratia of Rs. 4 lakh each to the kin of those killed and the district Collectors have been instructed to provide amount immediately. He said horticultural crops in about 1,600 hectares were damaged in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts according to preliminary estimates. Mr. Rao said financial assistance would be provided to farmers where crop loss was more than 33 per cent. He said Rs.18,000 per hectare would be provided for damage to perennial crops, Rs.6,800 in rain-fed areas and Rs.13,500 in assured irrigated areas. Following instructions from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently visiting China, Chief Secretary I.Y.R Krishna Rao held a video conference with Collectors of the affected districts and directed them to extend relief according to the norms fixed during Hudhud cyclone. According to initial reports, standing crops harvested in April have been flattened by the rain and strong winds. Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds also damaged houses and power cables across the State. Replying to questions, Mr. Pulla Rao reiterated that all eligible farmers would be covered by the Debt Redemption Scheme and grievances cells would be set up under collectors’ auspices in the districts. He denied that Government was exerting pressure on about 200 farmers who were unwilling to part with their lands under Land Pooling Scheme for the capital region. Asked about film actor and Jana sena leader’s opposition to land acquisition, Mr. Rao pointed out that 33000 acres of land was pooled under the scheme and there was no scope for land acquisition. He criticised Congress leader N. Raghuveera Reddy and YSR Congress president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy for opposing Pattiseema. He asserted that the TDP-BJP alliance in the State would continue and there was no scope for any divide.