Uttar Pradesh: Drought-hit Bundelkhand region to get 666 more handpumps

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday directed installation of additional 666 handpumps in the seven drought-hit districts of Bundelkhand region, a day after allocating Rs 867.87 crore for farmers in parched areas of the state.

"On the directives of the Chief Minister, the number of India Mark-2 handpumps, to be installed in the seven drought-hit districts of Bundelkhand, has been increased to 3,226 from 2,560 to deal with the drinking water crisis," an official spokesperson said.

Funds for this purpose have also been increased from Rs 18.42 crore to Rs 21.57 crore, he said.

Bundelkhand region is home to 18.3 million people as per 2011 census and is blighted with drought and unseasonable rains that has destroyed standing winter crops. In the last few years, several farmers lacking money for seeds and water for irrigation have committed suicide.

On Thursday, Yadav had allocated Rs 867.87 crore for providing relief to farmers in drought-hit regions of UP including Bundelkhand. The CM has directed the district magistrates to ensure the relief amount gets distributed at the earliest, the spokesperson added.