Centre approves Rs.1,304 crore relief to UP

A high-level committee for central assistance to drought-affected states has recommended Rs.1,304 crore as relief, besides other measures, to Uttar Pradesh under the National Disaster Relief Fund.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed for a high-level review of the drought situation in Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh as well as Vidarbha and Marathwada in Maharashtra, officials said.

The first review meeting on Bundelkhand was held in the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday.

The state government will disburse the Centre's relief amount directly into the bank accounts of affected farmers within a week, the officials said.

The government also approved increase in mandays under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme from 100 to 150 in Bundelkhand for the current fiscal.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan told the committee, chaired by union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, that the National Food Security Act had been implemented in the state from January 1 and food grain allocation in Bundelkhand increased accordingly.

The Centre also asked the state to ensure maximum coverage of farmers under the recently launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.