UP govt unveils Rs 4 lakh relief for deaths due to storms, lightning, heavy rain

Lucknow: Announcing a major relief package, the Uttar Pradesh govt on Thursday announced a sum of Rs 4 lakh as immediate financial assistance for families of those who die in natural disasters such as storms, lightning and heavy rain.Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed officials to provide immediate financial assistance and said negligence in relief operations would not be tolerated. He instructed ministers in charge of all districts to visit affected areas, meet bereaved families and review the situation on the ground.The Chief Minister said the state govt stands firmly with people hit by the disaster and stressed that relief distribution must be carried out quickly and transparently. Officials have been told to complete surveys at the earliest so compensation can reach beneficiaries without delay.Farmers who suffered crop losses of more than 33% will also be compensated. Those in rain-fed areas will receive Rs 8,500 per hectare, while farmers in assured irrigated areas will get Rs 17,000 per hectare. For 12-month crops and agroforestry, compensation has been fixed at Rs 22,500 per hectare. The assistance will be available for land holdings of up to two hectares.The govt has also announced support for restoration of farmland damaged by silt and debris deposited due to excessive rainfall. Affected farmers will receive up to Rs 18,000 per hectare to help restore fields and resume cultivation.Relief Commissioner Dr Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod reviewed the situation through videoconferencing with district officials and directed them to ensure immediate assistance to affected families. He said the control room set up at the Relief Commissioner’s office was continuously monitoring developments.Following weather alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department, more than 34 crore red and orange warning messages were sent to citizens through the Sachet portal.Compensation has also been announced for livestock losses. Owners will receive up to Rs 37,500 for the death of milch animals such as cows and buffaloes, Rs 32,000 for non-milch animals including bulls and horses, Rs 20,000 for calves, ponies and mules, and Rs 4,000 per animal for sheep, goats and pigs.