Rs 1,400 cr in UP budget for drought-hit Bundelkhand

Lucknow, Feb 12: Focusing on the water-scarce Bundelkhand region ahead of the assembly polls next year, the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday allocated over Rs 1,400 crore for it in its 2016-17 annual budget for various projects.

In the budget presented in the state Assembly, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav increased resources for various projects for the region.

The fund size of special projects for Bundelkhand has been increased from Rs 71.50 crore to Rs 200 crore and a proposal worth Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for making special arrangements for potable water, the chief minister, who holds the finance portfolio, said in his budget speech.

Another Rs 500 crore has been proposed for surface source- based rural potable water project and Rs 338 crore for special projects for the region, he said.

A provision of Rs 150 crore has been set aside for multi- purpose irrigation project on Betwa river in Jhansi and Rs two crore for tankers to provide potable water in the region. There is a provision of Rs 15 crore for setting up Tilhan plant in the region, he said.

With the opposition parties getting active in Bundelkhand, the Chief Minister had promised that his government would make efforts to address the issues confronting the area spread over seven districts -- Banda, Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Jalaun and Lalitpur.

During a recent padayatra in Bundelkhand, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had sought more funds for the development of the water-scarce region. Bundelkhand region is home to 18.3 million people as per 2011 census and is blighted with drought and unseasonable rains that has destroyed standing winter crops.

In the last few years, several farmers lacking money for seeds and water for irrigation have committed suicide. The state government has written to the Centre asking it to include the entire population of Bundelkhand under the Food Security Act to provide subsidised food grains for the poor.

PTI