The district magistrates have been asked to provide relief to farmers within next 10 days or action could be initiated against them. (File photo)
Out of Rs 867 crore sanctioned for providing relief to people in drought-hit areas of Uttar Pradesh, only Rs 52 crore has been utilised so far.
Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan on Wednesday expressed concern over disbursement of only Rs 52 crore at a meeting where he reviewed drought relief.
He directed the district magistrates concerned to provide relief to farmers within next 10 days or action could be initiated against them, an official spokesperson said. Mr Ranjan was addressing senior officials in districts through video conferencing.
When several district magistrates pointed out Jal Nigam's slow pace of working, the Chief Secretary directed its Managing Director to take up installation of handpumps and re-boring of defunct ones on priority.
Mr Ranjan also asked District Magistrate, Banda, Yogesh Kumar to give him a report on alleged starvation death in the district.
"There should be no starvation death in any district and DMs should take measures for it. DMs will be personally held responsible if such incidents take place," the Chief Secretary said.
A 41-year-old Dalit man died allegedly of starvation in Banda district while going to fetch ration for his family but authorities said it was a case of heart attack.