UP government stops revenue realisation in 50 drought-hit districts

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended with immediate effect recovery of all dues from farmers in 50 districts which were declared drought-hit in the state.

Of the total 75 districts, these 50 districts either recieved less than 60 per cent rain from June to September this year or more than 33 per cent crops were ruined there, an official spokesperson said here today.

The decision to declare these districts, which produce sugarcane, pulses, wheat, rice and cash crops, drought-hit was taken on the recommendation of a natural calamity committee.

The recovery of all dues from farmers in the affected areas has been stopped forthwith, the spokesperson said.

The district magistrates have been asked to chalk out a plan to deal with the situation and ensure that farmers are not harassed on the pretext of revenue realisation.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has directed government departments to start relief work in the identified districts to provide help to the farmers.

According to the MeT Department, only 53.50 per cent rainfall was recorded between June to September 30 in the state.

In 33 of these districts, rainfall of 40 per cent to 60 per cent was recorded, while in 16 districts, it was below 40 per cent.

The drought-hit districts include Ravidas Nagar, Banda, Sultanpur, Mirzapur, Balia, Siddharthnagar, Shahjahanpur, Pratapgarh, Chandauli, Etawa, Baghpat, Jaunpur, Faizabad, Mau, Gonda, Kannauj, Barabanki, Sant Kabir Nagar, Jhansi, Jalaun, Gorakhpur, Hathras, Etah, Allahabad, Ghaziabad, Farrukhabad, Unnao, Rampur, Hamirpur, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot, Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Deoria, Mainpuri, Maharajganj, Agra, Auraiya, Amethi, Pilibhit, Mahoba, Raibareli, Kushinagar, Kanpur Dehat, Kaoushbhi, Fatehpur, Amedkar Nagar and Balrampur.