Lucknow: Citing a statement by former PM Rajiv Gandhi that when govt sends Rs 100, only Rs 15 reaches the ground, CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday claimed that Congress and SP had for years siphoned off funds meant for the public.“In 2014, Cyclone Hudhud caused massive damage to crops. The Centre sent Rs. 3,200 crore but only Rs 800 crore reached the farmers. When I became CM in 2017, I ordered an investigation and found that the entire amount had not reached farmers. Govt then arranged additional funds for farmers. SP stole the farmers’ money and the curse of farmers saw it lose,” the CM said.Giving out Rs 493 crore in financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer as an agricultural input subsidy to over 9 lakh farmers affected by floods, excessive rainfall, hailstorms, and cyclones over the past week in Gorakhpur, the CM said govt assistance now reaches a beneficiary’s account directly. This time, he said, govt took around 10 days to assess the damage to crops and livestock and was providing immediate help to farmers.The CM said govt had provided around Rs 1,000 crore as financial assistance to citizens during this monsoon season. In addition, those whose houses had been damaged by excessive rainfall, cyclones and floods have been provided assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh under Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana.Hitting out at the previous SP govt, he said that it failed to provide electricity but sent electricity bills. Under BJP, he added, farmers received electricity but no bills.“I have directed that roads damaged by rain should be restored immediately. Funds have already been released for this purpose. PWD, irrigation, urban development, housing departments and development authorities have been given sufficient funds to repair damaged roads and other infrastructure. Work should begin as soon as the weather clears,” the CM said.Highlighting the work being done to protect farmers from a weather-related crisis, the CM said that an Early Warning Weather System was being put in place, which was giving early signals for lightning strikes, heavy rain, etc. Rain gauges are also being installed to calculate actual rainfall conditions. “If a farmer, sharecropper, or a member of a farmer’s or sharecropper’s family is struck by a natural disaster such as lightning, the affected family receives assistance of Rs 5 lakh under Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Bima Yojana. Officials have been instructed to ensure that this assistance is provided immediately,” he said, adding that govt has already released Rs 169 crore to farmers affected by floods, cyclones and hailstorms.“After BJP govt came to office in UP, major decisions were taken in the interests of farmers. Immediately after assuming office, govt waived loans worth Rs 36,000 crore for 86 lakh small and marginal farmers. Govt made electricity free for 16 lakh private tubewells. Our objective is clear, if farmers prosper, the country will prosper. With this sentiment, PM Narendra Modi honoured farmers by conferring Bharat Ratna on (former PM and farmer leader) Chaudhary Charan Singh,” the CM said.
