UP still awaiting Centre's relief for farmers: Akhilesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said the state is still awaiting the relief promised by the Centre for drought and hailstorm-affected farmers.
"We have put forward our views as per the norms ...The state should get what is due to it.... Specially when any promise has been made," he told mediapersons after chairing a cabinet meeting here.
"They said relief will be given... First it was hailstorm and then drought... They also got the report of hailstorm... we gave maximum relief from our budget, we are still awaiting when the Centre will give its share," the Chief Minister said.

He will pay a visit to drought-effected Bundelkhand tomorrow.
"The state government is working to provide relief... efforts are on to extend solar power to tubewells," Akhilesh said.
"All poor families in Bundelkhand have been linked to the Samajwadi Pension scheme and the government is trying to ensure that the poor and farmers get all possible help," he said.

On fall in water level of rivers like Ken and Betwa in Bundelkhand, the Chief Minister said dams and embankments are being constructed to ensure proper water supply in the region.
Regarding decisions taken at the cabinet meeting, he said several roads will be strengthened and expanded. The Agra-Lucknow Expressway will be extended to Ghazipur and Ballia and will be the "lifeline" of the state.

"After its completion, UP will be the first state in the country which will have an expressway from one corner to the other...No other state will have such a long Expressway built on own resources," Yadav added.