Extending further relief to the farmers who have lost their crops in the unseasonal rains, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has released another Rs 300 crore to provide compensation to the growers and has directed the district magistrates of the affected districts to extend the relief on priority. The Government had earlier released Rs 200 crore and with the additional Rs 300 crore announced on Monday, the total relief extended to the farmers adds up to Rs 500 crore.
“Initial estimate suggests that the loss to the crops is to the tune of Rs 870 crore. The state Government has so far released Rs 500 crore and to speed up relief, the district magistrates have been asked to release Rs 370 crore from TR-27 so that the farmers get the relief at the earliest,” Yadav said in a statement issued here on Monday.
“Realisation of all kinds of government loans has been suspended with immediate effect. Banks have been asked to restructure the loans and not harass farmers who have lost their crops in the unseasonal rains and hailstorm. Officials have also been asked to ensure that the farmers get claims from the crop insurance policy wherever it is applicable,” Yadav said.
The Chief Minister said that the Samajwadi Party Government was alive to the problems of farmers. He said the Government had earlier released Rs 200 crore for compensation out of which Rs 105 crore had already been disbursed.“The state Government has released more funds from its own resources other than the promised Central assistance,” he added.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has sought financial assistance of Rs 744 crore from the Centre to extend relief to the rain-hit farmers. The Chief Minister has also directed Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan to review the relief disbursement on daily basis and apprise him of it.
The district magistrates have also been asked to immediately send report to the Government about damage to potato crop.