50 UP districts declared drought-hit

Lucknow, Nov 19: As many as 50 of the 75 Uttar Pradesh districts have been declared drought-hit, an official said on Thursday.

The revenue collections in the affected districts would remain suspended till March 31, 2016, the official added.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav after assessing detailed district-wise report of the drought situation.

Among the districts declared drought-hit are Faizabad, Jhansi, Sant Ravidasnagar, Lucknow, Allahabad, Mirzapur, Ballia and Ghaziabad.

Extensive relief measures have been ordered by the chief minister and departments like irrigation, rural development, panchayati raj, agriculture, social welfare, institutional finance, animal husbandry and health have been asked to execute special schemes to mitigate the problems faced by farmers in these areas, a government official told IANS.

IANS