Locknow, July 27: The politics of drought in Uttar Pradesh reached its peak on Sunday with chief minister Mayawati declaring 27 more districts as drought-hit and demanded a special package from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Two days ago, she declared 20 districts as drought-hit. That means, 47 of the 70 districts in the state are now under a severe dry spell officially.
In fact, the state government hurriedly named 20 districts in eastern and western UP as drought- hit soon after it was reported that Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi would meet Manmohan Singh to demand a special package for Bundelkhand, which has received very little rainfall this season.
Mayawati- baiters said it was her ploy to remain one- up against Rahul, the Amethi MP, who has launched an all- out offensive in the state to upstage the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party ( BSP).
Moreover, the government’s new drought list with 27 more districts came within three hours of Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s diatribe against Mayawati on Sunday. He said the UP chief minister was more interested in making the drought a political issue rather than addressing the problem.
“Though she has said that she has written letters to the Centre, the fact remains that she has yet to send a report on the scanty rainfall across the state. The state government is confused. A few days ago, they said there was a need for 800 certified seeds.
But now, they want 2,500 certified seeds. There is a process to declare a national calamity when the Finance Commission recommends relief funds. Mayawati is surrounded with those who don’t want her to know the reality,” Digvijay said.
Soon after, Mayawati shot off a letter to Manmohan Singh demanding a Rs 3,866- crore special package for the drought- hit districts.
She also demanded setting up of public section industries in the Bundelkhand region where drought is a perennial problem.
Taking a jibe at Congress president Sonia Gandhi without taking her name, she stated in her letter to the PM that there should be a project like a rail coach factory in Bundelkhand.
State chief secretary Atul Kumar Gupta said the government has decided to suspend recovery of all land revenue in the drought- affected districts to provide instant relief to farmers.
–Agencies