New Delhi: Farmers in Bundelkhand will get Rs 1,304 crore for drought relief under National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) while mandays under MNREGA was increased to 150 as a review was undertaken by the Prime Minister's Office of the situation in the region in Uttar Pradesh.
It was also decided that the National Rural Livelihood Mission will be intensified and its coverage extended to all the blocks for alternative sources of income and construction of water tanks and building of dug wells and farm ponds would be undertaken on priority under various projects and schemes for Bundelkhand.
At the review meeting, held on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, it was decided that the Centre and the state government will work together for long-term sustainable solutions to address the problem of vulnerable regions in natural distress.
Modi has directed that a high-level review be undertaken of the drought situation in Bundelkhand as also Vidharbha and Marathwada regions.
At the meeting on Bundelkhand, the UP Chief Secretary and his team made a presentation. Secretaries of the departments concerned of the Union government were also present.
Among the relief measures, it was noted that a High-Level Committee chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has recommended Rs 1,304 crore drought relief for UP under NDRF.
The state government would disburse the relief amount directly into the bank accounts of farmers within a week, an official statement said on Sunday. It was decided that the UP government will forward a Memorandum for Rabi 2016 soon.
The Home Ministry will examine if an exemption can be given under SDRF (State Disaster Relief Fund) on 25 per cent limit and continuation of distribution of food component beyond 90 days, it said.
About employment and livelihood, provision of extending mandays from 100 to 150 under MGNREGS in Bundelkhand for financial year 2016-17 was approved, the statement said.
The state government will ensure distribution of Rs 700 crore released under the labour component of MGNREGS directly to the eligible beneficiaries via electronic payment system. It was decided that to provide alternative sources of income, the National Rural Livelihood Mission would be strengthened and intensified and coverage would be extended to all the blocks.
With regard to drinking water, the Chief Secretary said that a comprehensive contingency plan is ready for addressing the situation in the Bundelkhand region, especially in Mahoba, Chitrakoot and Banda districts in Chitrakoot division. He assured that drinking water will be made available.
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