Rajnath to UP: Don't hide farmer suicides, give relief

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the Uttar Pradesh government, instead of trying to hide farmers' suicides owing to the crop damage, should focus on providing immediate relief and compensation to those affected by the recent untimely rains and hailstorm.

Rajnath Singh, who arrived here on a two-day visit, said the recent rains and hail had damaged the standing crops. He urged the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) government of the state to provide immediate relief to the affected farmers.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed cabinet ministers to assess the crop damage and ministers of other states to do a ground assessment. "Ministers from Maharashtra came to Uttar Pradesh and I myself went to Maharashtra."

Rajnath Singh also assured the farmers that assessment of crop damage by various teams was in its final stages and once it was collated at the central level, immediate relief should be provided to the farmers.

Referring to the law and order in the state, often slammed by opposition parties, the union minister said the situation needs to be improved and asked the chief minister to take effective measures to control crime in the state.