UP govt declares 27 more districts as drought-hit

Lucknow: It's bad news for farmers in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has declared more than half its districts drought-hit; 27 more districts have been added to the drought list, taking the total number to 47.

The state government says:

• In all 34 districts have received 40 to 60 per cent rainfall and sowing here has been less than 50 per cent; these include districts like Mathura, Allahabad, Kanpur and Varanasi
• 13 districts like Agra, Meerut, Aligarh and Rampur have received 40 per cent rainfall and where sowing has been less than 75 per cent
  

And with that the centre-state political blame game has started. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati shot off a letter to the prime minister demanding a special package for Bundelkhand. And Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said Mayawati was unaware of ground realities and only made political statements.

Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said he was finding it difficult to get in touch with the UP government at the highest level.He will make a statement about the drought conditions in Parliament on Monday.

But what is worrying farmers is the looming possibility of a failed kharif crop.Sugarcane, pulses and paddy could take a bad hit, raising concerns about food security.