Two third of UP districts declared drought hit

State hit by drought for second year running. Revenue collection suspended till March 31, 2016

The specre of drought has hit Uttar Pradesh for the second year running with 50 districts - which make of two third of the total 75 districts in the state - declared as drought hit.

Such districts had received 60% or less rainfall during the monsoon season this year. The drought hit districts include the state capital of Lucknow, apart from Allahabad, Ghaziabad, Kanpur City, Kanpur Dehat, Amethi, Kannauj, Pilibhit, Rampur etc.

Last year, an even greater number of districts, 58, were declared drought hit.

Following the decision, the state government has ordered suspension of revenue collection in these districts till March 31, 2016 and the farmer would not be subjected to any legal proceedings to realise agricultural loan repayments by banks or financial institutions.

Last year, a similar decision had been taken for the 58 drought-hit districts.

The UP chief secretary-headed State Level Standing Committee on Calamity Relief had met on October 29, 2015 here to discuss the drought situations and the proposed relief measures with the heads of government departments, including social welfare, fertiliser, urban development, fisheries, horticulture, agriculture, health, irrigation, rural development, panchayati raj, institutional finance, animal husbandry etc.

Although, Balrampur had received over 60% rainfall, it was yet classified as drought hit since the district had registered crop loss of more than 33 percent.

During the four months between June-September 2015, UP recorded 53.50% rainfall due to the South-West monsoon. While, 33 districts received between 40-60% rainfall, 16 districts got less than 40%.

As per the guidelines issued by the Centre in relation to drought, the state government is vested with the authority to consider declaring a district as drought hit if it receives 75% or less of downpour compared to normal.

Last year, the UP government had demanded over Rs 6,000 crore from the central government as drought relief package.