UP govt failed to utilise funds meant for farmers: BJP

The state unit of the BJP today accused the Uttar Pradesh government of "not utilising" the Central funds meant for the farmers affected by excessive rain and hailstorm in the state.

"The UP government has failed to distribute funds released by the Centre for the farmers affected by excessive rain and hailstorm," UP BJP chief Laxmi Kant Bajpai alleged while talking to the reporters here.

The farmers in the state had suffered heavy crop damage last year due to untimely rain and hailstorm.

The party took the opportunity to also popularise the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana - a crop insurance scheme - which was cleared today in a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bajpai said it was a revolutionary scheme which would directly benefit the farmers.