Drought-like situation in 3 UP divisions
Lucknwo, Aug 31 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government today admitted that three divisions -- Jhansi, Meerut and Saharanpur -- are in the grip of drought like situation, whereas 23 districts have witnessed less the 50 per cent of rainfall in the current monsoon.
Replying to a debate on the drought situation in the state in the assembly, state revenue minister Ambika Choudhury said there was an average 22 per cent less rainfall betwen June to August.
The government also announced no harrassment would be meted out to any rural loan defaulter upto Rs one lakh.
Maintaining there was no scarcity of drinking water or fodder in any part of UP, he said relief would be provided only if there is a report of more than 50 per cent loss to agricultural produce.
''The government is taking extra measures in Jhansi, Meerut and Saharanpur divisions, where the situation is serious due to scanty rainfall,'' he added.
However, BSP members, dissatisfied with the reply, walked out of the house raising anti-government slogans.
The minister said drought like situation in western UP was serious, where the rainfall was less by 38 per cent than normal, while in the eastern parts of UP, it was 16 per cent less.
State minor irrigation minister Shakir Ali said more than 78,000 new borings have been done in UP, while over 10,000 pump sets have been installed to meet irrigational facilities.
Earlier, participating in the debate, BSP member Lalji Verma said the government had failed to provide water in the canals, besides no effort had been made to end the woes of farmers for scanty rainfall.
Congress' Jagdambika Pal demanded the government immediately intervened as farmers had lost agricultural produce, and they should be compensated.
Earlier during question hour, Congress staged a noisy walkout over decrease in production of pulses in UP.
UNI MB VS VD VV1819