File Photo: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Concerned over suicide of "103 farmers" due to crop loss, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to immediately distribute among farmers Rs 506 crore given to it by the Centre for disaster relief.
Mr Singh, who visited some areas hit by recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm, told farmers that the Central government was fully aware about their plight and taking all possible steps to provide them succour.
"I want to appeal to the Chief Minister to distribute among the farmers Rs 506 crore given to the state disaster relief funds," he said, addressing two separate farmers rallies.
Mr Singh, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, said he was not visiting the rain-hit areas for the sake of politics but was really concerned about their problems and asked all political parties to join hands in providing relief to the distraught farmers.
"I am not here to blame anyone or criticise the state government. I appeal to everyone, all political parties, to join hands and give relief to farmers whatever way possible," he said.
The Home Minister said "as a son of farmer" he understood the problems of the community well.
"The Prime Minister is very concerned with the problems being faced by the farmers. We have already decided that those farmers whose 33 per cent crops were damaged, will be given full compensation.
"We have given clear instruction in this regard," he said.
Concerned over reports of 103 farmers committing suicide in UP after the recent unseasonal rains, he appealed to farmers not to allow anyone to take his life due to crop damage.
"Help any distraught farmer. Try to solve his problem or bring a public representative to him. Don't allow anyone to commit suicide. I am told 103 farmers so far committed suicide," he said.
The Union Minister said that due to the federal structure of the country it was not possible for the Central government to give funds directly to the farmers but through state governments.
"I want to appeal to all the state governments to give as much relief you can to the farmers. We are behind you," he said.
Citing the example of Haryana government which has given Rs 25,000 to farmers as compensation for damage of each hectare crop, the Home Minister said that UP government should take similar steps.
The Union Minister also asked state government officials to visit farmers and help them as a humanitarian gesture and do justice to the needy.
"We want to help every one - no matter what caste, creed, religion. The problem is being faced by everyone," he said.
According to initial estimates, around 55 districts in UP were affected due to the unseasonal rains and hailstorms.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately sanction Rs 1,000 crore to UP for providing relief to farmers.
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had said that unseasonal rains and hailstorms have damaged rabi (winter-sown) crops in about 113 lakh hectares of crop area in the country.
Total cultivable area in rabi season stands at 600 lakh hectares.