Government treasury will open from Gorakhpur: Money will reach directly into the accounts of food donors

Today has brought great economic relief for the farmers of Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is releasing a big financial package today, healing the wounds of the farmers who have been hit by the severe floods, excessive rains, cyclonic storms and unseasonal hailstorms that have occurred in the state in recent months. The Chief Minister will transfer the agricultural investment grant amount of more than Rs 483 crore (total sanctioned approximately ₹ 493 crore) in one click through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank accounts of 9 lakh 18 thousand 91 (about 9.18 lakh) affected farmers of the state from the state level program organized at Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium in Gorakhpur. On this special occasion, State Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, local public representatives and senior administrative officials will also be present. The government has a clear instruction that if the farmers get this assistance just before the festivals, they will not have to face any kind of financial crisis in procuring seeds, fertilizers and necessary agricultural resources for the next sowing of Rabi season.

From the beginning of the current financial year till October 9, a joint survey of losses caused by natural disasters in various districts of the state was conducted on war footing by the teams of Revenue and Agriculture Departments.

• Accurate satellite and terrestrial investigation: Immediately after the flood waters receded, officials went from village to village and identified farmers who had more than 33 percent crop damage in their fields, out of which 9 lakh 18 thousand 91 farmers were identified.

• Amount was released in advance: According to the Relief Commissioner’s Office, Rs 169 crore had already been sent to the districts in advance as agricultural investment grant. Of these, Rs 78.75 crore has already been distributed to 1,29,326 farmers.

• Lump sum distribution of balance today: Through this big DBT transfer taking place today, the entire compensation amount to all the remaining identified farmers will be transferred directly to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, completely eliminating the scope for any middleman or broker.

This relief campaign of CM Yogi is not limited to the loss of crops only. The government has provided financial support at every level to the families affected during natural disasters. According to official data, till now a separate relief amount of Rs 225.93 crore has been distributed to the affected families in cases of human loss due to various natural disasters, cattle loss due to lightning or flowing water and loss due to collapse of pucca houses. The Chief Minister has given strict instructions that in any case of disaster, the victim’s family should get government ex-gratia within 24 hours and any kind of negligence at the administrative level will not be tolerated.

CM Yogi has also shown sensitivity regarding the disposal of huge trees that have fallen on farmers’ fields and private lands due to the recent storm and cyclonic rains.

1. The Chief Minister has given clear orders to the Forest Department and Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation to immediately issue necessary ‘transit permits’ to the farmers on priority basis for lifting and transportation of wood from fallen trees in the fields.

2. The entire process of issuing permits will be kept transparent so that farmers do not have to face any kind of financial or mental harassment and can vacate their land on time for the next crop.

3. Joint responsibility has been fixed between District Magistrates and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) for immediate removal of fallen trees on roads and public roads.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reiterated in his message that reducing the suffering of farmers suffering from natural disasters is the first priority of the government. When the sweat of the farmer, mixed with the soil, fills the country’s stomach, then it becomes the ultimate duty of the government to compensate for his loss in times of calamity. In the districts of the entire state including Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand, where excessive rainfall had caused huge devastation, this amount of money reaching their accounts directly today has brought satisfaction to the faces of the farmers. Today’s financial transfer of Rs 483 crore will not only give a new impetus to the rural economy but will also strengthen the confidence of farmers.