Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has written another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to release Central relief for the farmers who lost their crops in the unseasonal rain and hailstorm that lashed the State last month. “The Uttar Pradesh Government has sent a letter demanding Rs772 crores compensation for the farmers. It would be nice if the State gets the relief in time so that same could be disbursed among the farmers who are dire need of money,” Yadav said.
In his letter Chief Minister explained Uttar Pradesh Government’s initiative to provide succor to the distraught farmers. He said the UP Government has already release Rs216 crore and directives have been given to the district magistrates to release the fund to the affected farmers.
“This relief (given by UP Government) is not enough. A rough estimate suggests that crop worth Rs1,000 crore has been damaged. Crops like wheat, potato, pulses and linseed have been destroyed. Unless Central Government release funds it would be difficult for State to provide compensation to all the farmers,” Chief Minister said. Senior officials in Chief Minister’s office told The Pioneer that a Central team would first evaluate the loss and then it would decide about the compensation. What Uttar Pradesh wants is that the proposed team should carry out its survey at the earliest.
Initial survey suggests that 35 districts have been affected by the rains with Bundelkhand being the worst affected. The DMs of these rain affected districts have been asked to start disbursement of compensation. To start with only those farmers are being given relief whose 50 per cent or more crop has been damaged. The other farmers would be included in the beneficiary list once state government gets relief from central government.
“Uttar Pradesh government wants all the farmers whop have lost their crop should get compensation. As this involves a large amount of money we are waiting for help from Central Government,” Yadav said in his letter. The latter talks in length about the loss occurred in irrigated and non-irrigated land and compensation government proposes to give to the farmers. CM also wrote about his government’s commitment to provide relief to farmers and said this year is observed as Kisan Varsh (Farmers’ Year). “Our Government is committed for the welfare of the farmers and therefore would take all steps to provide succor to the farming sector,” Chief Minister said.