Uttar Pradesh drought: PM Narendra Modi directs providing of immediate assistance

Reviewing the drought situation in Uttar Pradesh with its Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today issued directions for providing immediate assistance as per a memorandum submitted by the state two days back amid a promise to work with it in dealing with the situation. At the meeting here with Yadav which also discussed water scarcity, Modi said the Centre and states have to work together to mitigate the problems faced by the people due to the drought, a PMO statement said.

He pitched for focus on medium and long term solutions for drought-proofing. Yadav apprised the Prime Minister of efforts undertaken for mitigation of problems faced by people because of drought conditions, particularly in the Bundelkhand region, the statement said,

It was noted that the state has submitted a memorandum two days back for assistance for the Rabi 2015-16 season and the Prime Minister directed that the process be completed, and assistance be provided without delay.

The state shared the action plan for revival and restoration of 78,000 water-bodies including tanks, ponds, and farm ponds; one lakh new water-bodies and recharge structures. This is to be achieved by utilizing funds available in schemes such as MNREGA and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the statement said.

The meeting was told that an amount of Rs 934.32 crore has been released to the state under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), after adjustments of the state balances.

This is in addition to Rs 506.25 crore released as central share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for 2015-16 to the state. A further amount of Rs. 265.87 crore has been released as first instalment of SDRF for 2016-17.