Lucknow, July 29 (FN Bureau) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that barring some parts of the state, rains in the majority of the districts are unusual and not continuous like last year and therefore the needs of the farmers should be taken care off in such a situation. The CM was reviewing efforts being made in various districts of the state in light of the inadequate rainfall in a high-level meeting. Reiterating the commitment of the government towards the interests of the farmers, Yogi said that whether the rain is in abundance or deficient the farmers need not to worry as the government is standing with them at every step. While directing the officials, he said that under any circumstances, water should be made available to the tail end of the canals. The Chief Minister directed the Irrigation and Electricity Departments to remain on alert. Yogi said that it is the priority of the government to provide water to the fields of all the farmers in the state.
“Arrangements should be made to channelise the rivers and take their water to the canals.Special care should be taken to ensure that the water reaches the tail end of the canal. Police patrolling should be done for the safety of the canals and it should be ensured that no one breaches the canals,” he said. He said that the interests of the farmers of the state is the priority of the government. “Therefore, a survey should be conducted for accurate assessment of the effects of scanty rainfall,” the CM said. Yogi said that the silt accumulated in the reservoirs should be cleaned. “The farmers should be encouraged to sow alternative crops in case of scanty rainfall. Along with this, it should also be ensured that tube wells and pump canals have adequate power supply,” he said. He directed the officers to make a fortnightly report on deficient rainfall and send it to the central government and added that private tube well operators should be motivated for rain water harvesting. During the meeting, the officials apprised the CM that a total of 281.2 mm rainfall has been recorded so far this year from the southwest monsoon, which is 84.3 percent of the normal rainfall.In the meeting, it was informed on behalf of the Agriculture Minister that 86.07 percent of the paddy has been sown in the state so far.