BJP leaders stage walkout from UP Legislative Assembly

LUCKNOW: BJP members today staged a walk out from the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly alleging apathetic attitude of the state government towards drought-hit farmers.

The ruling party, however, blamed the Centre for not providing proper assistance to the drought-hit areas.

BJP leaders Suresh Khanna and Satish Mahana staged a walkout alleging delay by the state government in sending its demand for Central assistance. They also accused the government of doing nothing to assist drought-hit farmers.

"In order to provide relief to drought hit areas, the state government had sent a memorandum of Rs 4,819 crores to the Centre, which was not yet released. No relief has been provided by the Centre yet to the state. We have declared 14 more districts besides existing 44 as drought hit", Cabinet Minister Shivpal Yadav said.

Unsatisfied with the answer of the minister, BJP members later staged a walkout from the House.

Yadav said that 14 districts, which received less than 40 per cent rainfall have also been declared drought hit.

He was replying to a question raised by BSP member Dharmpal Singh in state Legislative Assembly during Question Hour.

When BSP member pointed that the farmers were harassed for payment of government dues, Yadav said that an order has been issued to suspend all the revenue realisation from farmers in drought-hit districts till Mar 31, 2015.