UP CM Akhilesh Yadav meets PM Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss drought situation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss the drought situation in the state. In a marathon meet, PM Modi met Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka in New Delhi on Saturday for discussions on drought and water-scarcity situation which has hit these states badly.

"We apprised PM of situation, put forth our concerns regarding drought and also crop damage due to hailstorm. Water is available in Bundelkhand, dam is hardly 5kms away. We just have to make arrangements for distribution of water" Yadav said after his meeting with PM Modi.

The Chief Ministers of these three states—Akhilesh Yadav, Devendra Fadnavis and Siddaramaiah—were invited by the Prime Minister for separate meetings. At these meetings, Modi took stock of the situation with regard to drought and water-scarcity that these states are facing. UP, Maharashtra and Karnataka are worst hit by the twin problems.

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The Centre has already made it clear that while it was doing its bit to provide relief to those affected by the drought, it was for the states themselves to address the situation on the ground.

“The Centre’s role is to monitor and the state’s role is to provide assistance and help the affected people at ground level,” Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had said in Rajya Sabha recently while replying to a debate on drought.

“The central government does its bit, but all state governments should also do their best” in addressing the drought situation, he had said.

Singh had insisted that farmers are a priority for the central government and it was taking adequate measures. Talking about the steps taken by the Centre, he said it has eased norms for providing relief and even the allocation for State Disaster Response Fund has been raised. 

With PTI Inputs