Revenue realisation in drought-hit UP districts deferred

Lucknow, Sep 8 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced that all revenue realisation drives in drought-hit districts will be deferred till March 31 next year, an official said.

Districts where rainfall this year has been less than 50 percent will be identified as drought-hit. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the state-level natural calamity relief committee, presided over by Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan.

Almost two-thirds of the state has been affected by scanty rainfall and drought.

Ranjan said irrigation and power department officers should jointly ensure regular monitoring of the exercise to enhance capacity of tube wells affected due to low voltage through weekly meetings.

The officials were asked to take action on priority to identify and declare districts with less than 50 percent rain as drought-hit.

They have also been told to prepare a memorandum for obtaining government funds required for providing essential services to farmers of the affected districts.