Politics over farmers' plight in Bundelkhand

Despite the Prime Minister's suggestions, it may already be too late for some farmers who have been directly affected by the drought-like situation. NDTV reports on the politics over drought from Bundelkhand, one if the worst affected districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Maya's husband Govind watched the cloudless skies for months, silently praying for rains. Hope faded each day, and he drank poison on Tuesday.

"He told me that this season there would be no crop and there is so much debt to repay," said Maya.

Govind's village is in Lalitpur district of Buldelkhand. The district has received barely 40 per cent of its average annual rainfall. Drought has been declared in the five adjoining districts, but not Lalitpur, allegedly because the BSP is wary of the Congress' political progress.

"The Congress candidate won in this district. That's why Mayawati is refusing to declare this district as drought-hit," said Congress leader R S Debolia.

Govind's death has shaken up the village and come as a cruel reminder of the previous drought in Bundelkhand, which last four years and claimed nearly 700 farmers' lives. The Centre had promised Rs. 4,000 crore relief package, but the farmers are still waiting to see that money. The state relief provided was so little that it has become a local joke here.

For four acres, Ram Pratap Chaubey got Rs 190. It was easier for him to keep the cheque as a memento.

"To claim the cheque, I went to Mehrauni four times. The fifth time, they told me the cheque was outdated," said Ram Pratap Chaubey.

This time, it's no different. Fifty eight of Uttar Pradesh's 70 districts are drought-hit. But relief will come only after assessments of damage for each farmer is done.

Farmers say it's not as easy for them to get relief, as it is for Mayawati to get crores sanctioned for memorials of Dalit leaders.