In a bid to bring in some relief to the drought-hit victims of Bundelkhand district in Uttar Pradesh, the state Government has sought from the Union Government a similar package as that offered to Vidarbha.

Since 2003, Bundelkhand has witnessed low rainfall and is reeling under drought-like conditions. Last year, the Union Government identified 31 drought-hit districts and doled out a package. However, while many districts of the Vidarbha region benefited from the aid, none of the districts of Bundelkhand even figured in the list.

When contacted by The Indian Express, UP Revenue Minister Phagoo Chauhan said the state Government has identified the worst affected districts of Bundelkhand. “The state Government has declared nine districts, including Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, as drought-hit. For immediate relief, the state has provided Rs 2 crore to each district magistrate,” said Chauhan.

The minister said the recovery of land revenue in these districts will also be deferred. The state has given the power of sanctioning projects worth Rs 10 lakh to the district magistrates. The relief committee will approve projects above this amount, said Chauhan. The minister said the state has also requested the Union Government to direct the nationalised banks to waive off the interests on loans taken by the farmers.