'UP Govt. has released 200 crores from contingency fund for farmers', says Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said his government has released Rs.200 crore from the contingency fund to cover the crop-related losses suffered by farmers due to unseasonal rains.

"The Central Government has provided us Rs.44 crores and we have taken out 200 crores from the contingency fund," Yadav told media here.

"The money has reached many constituencies and we have decided to give cheques to the farmers," he added.

Yadav confirmed that central and state ministers were taking a stock of the situation

He also stated that the government is providing seven lakh rupees in the case of a death of a farmer.

As per reports, crops in 40 districts have been damaged due to the bad weather with Mathura being declared the worst-hit district.

Over a dozen debt-laden farmers have reportedly committed suicide, and discontent in many rural areas against government policies is turning into anger against the government.

Unseasonal storms have badly damaged the winter crop in large parts of the fertile northern plains and villagers have blamed the government for not stepping in to help the distressed farmers or ensuring that crop prices remained stable.