The state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party has asked the state government to declare 69 districts that have received deficit rainfall this year as drought hit because the crops in these regions have been destroyed because of paucity of rains.
BJP state president laxmi Kant Bajpai said in a statement issued here on Sunday that barring Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Sambhal, Bijnore, Moradabad and lakhimpur Khiri the other 69 districts have received less than normal rains this year.
“The average rainfall in Bundelkhand region is 44 per cent, central UP 45 per cent, western UP 63 per cent and eastern UP 52 per cent. The production of rice and pulses has been badly affected,” Dr Bajpai said.
He said that Uttar Pradesh is 7th in production of paddy and 5th in production of pulses. But less rains this year has adversely affected agriculture production. “The state had witnessed drought in 2014 and excess rains in early 2015. This is followed by less rain in the second half of this year. Farmers are bearing the brunt because of the vagary of nature,” BJP state president said.
“The BJP demands that all the rain deficit 69 districts should be declared as drought hit. The state government should pay the compensation. Additional power and water should be provided in the villages so that farmers can mitigate their losses,” BJP’s UP chief said.