Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has transferred ₹493 crore in disaster relief to 9,18,091 farmers affected by floods, excessive rainfall, hailstorms and cyclones. At a programme in Gorakhpur, he said the state government was providing compensation within 8–10 days of a disaster and had distributed around ₹1,000 crore to farmers and other affected people so far this year.
The programme was held at the Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium and Cultural Centre. The Chief Minister also outlined measures for crop loss, damaged homes, livestock loss and deaths caused by disasters, while directing officials to speed up flood-control and road-repair work.
DBT Ensures Direct Transfer of Relief
Yogi Adityanath said disaster compensation was being transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He claimed that eligible farmers receive the full amount approved for them, without intermediaries.
Taking aim at previous governments, he alleged that the Samajwadi Party government had distributed only ₹800 crore to farmers out of ₹3,200 crore received from the Centre during Cyclone Hudhud in 2014. He also cited former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s remark that only ₹15 out of every ₹100 spent by the government reached beneficiaries, arguing that DBT had improved delivery of public assistance.
These remarks were the Chief Minister’s political claims. The programme’s central announcement was the latest transfer of ₹493 crore to disaster-affected farmers.
₹4 Lakh for Deaths and Other Disaster Assistance
The Chief Minister said officials had been instructed to provide ₹4 lakh to families affected by a disaster-related death within 24 hours.
He also highlighted assistance available under different state schemes. Eligible farmers, sharecroppers and their family members can receive ₹5 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Bima Yojana in qualifying accident cases, including incidents involving lightning.
For completely damaged houses, the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana provides assistance of ₹1.20 lakh, subject to applicable rules. Financial support is also available for partially damaged homes and livestock losses.
According to figures shared by the government, around ₹78 crore had already been paid to 1,29,326 farmers for crop damage. A further ₹225.93 crore had been distributed for cases involving loss of life, livestock and damage to houses.
Flood Control and Damaged Roads Get Priority
Yogi Adityanath directed officials to begin erosion-control work immediately in flood-affected areas. He said the Irrigation Department had received adequate funds for the work.
He also instructed the Public Works Department, Urban Development Department and development authorities to repair damaged roads as soon as the weather clears. He assured officials that funds would not be a constraint in providing disaster relief and restoring road connectivity.
The state has also introduced measures to improve disaster preparedness. These include early-warning systems for lightning, rain gauges to measure rainfall and weather alerts sent to people’s mobile phones.
Paddy Procurement to Begin in Affected Districts on October 15
The Chief Minister announced that procurement centres for paddy, jowar, bajra and maize would open in districts affected by excessive rainfall from October 15. Procurement in other districts was scheduled to begin on Monday, according to his statement.
He said there would be no limit on the quantity of farmers’ produce purchased under the announced arrangements and that payments would go directly into their bank accounts.
Yogi Adityanath also cited other measures aimed at supporting agriculture. He claimed that the state had waived ₹36,000 crore in loans for 86 lakh farmers, provided free electricity to 16 lakh private tube wells and extended irrigation facilities to an additional 22 lakh hectares of land.
Government Highlights Spending on Agriculture
Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said the state had spent ₹69,163 crore on the agriculture sector. He added that the sugarcane price had increased from ₹280 to ₹400 per quintal and that sugarcane farmers had received payments totalling ₹3.25 lakh crore.
Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Shahi said farmers had received ₹6,125 crore in compensation over the previous nine years.
Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan also highlighted loan waivers, sugarcane payments and disaster assistance as areas of government support for farmers.
During the programme, the Chief Minister handed symbolic cheques to disaster-affected beneficiaries, including Reshma Devi, Chandan Kumar Paswan, Indravati, Savita Devi, Chunni Devi and Seema Devi. Other beneficiaries from the Campierganj, Sadar and Gola areas also received cheques, while the announced assistance was transferred through DBT.
Mission Shakti-6 Awareness Rally Flagged Off
The Chief Minister also flagged off an awareness rally under the sixth phase of Mission Shakti. Women police personnel riding scooters and other women participated in the rally.
He visited stalls showcasing agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, MP Ravi Kishan, Mayor Dr Manglesh Srivastava, District Panchayat Chairperson Sadhana Singh and other public representatives and officials attended the programme.
The ₹493 crore transfer is intended to provide timely financial support to farmers facing crop losses and other disaster-related hardships. Alongside compensation, faster procurement, flood-control work and road repairs will be important for helping affected rural communities recover and resume agricultural activity.
Read also: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Launches 78 Development Projects Worth ₹803 Crore in Balrampur
