Uttar Pradesh Government Orders Swift Crop Damage Assessment After Unseasonal Rains
In response to last week's unexpected and unseasonal rainfall, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary SP Goyal has issued urgent directives to all divisional commissioners and district magistrates across the state. The senior bureaucrat has mandated an immediate and comprehensive survey of agricultural crops to assess the extent of damage inflicted by the adverse weather conditions.
Compensation Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
During a high-level video conference held on Wednesday, Chief Secretary Goyal emphasized that compensation for affected farmers must be processed and released promptly under the provisions of the central government's Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). This crop insurance scheme is designed to provide financial support to farmers facing losses due to natural calamities.
School Vehicle Safety Inspection Campaign Announced
In a separate but significant development, the Chief Secretary announced a special fitness and safety inspection campaign for all school vehicles operating within Uttar Pradesh. This intensive drive is scheduled to run from April 1 to April 15, 2024.
"The state transport department has developed an integrated school vehicle monitoring portal with the primary objective of making the oversight of school transportation more effective and transparent," stated CS Goyal. He further instructed that all schools must mandatorily register the details of every vehicle they operate on this newly launched digital portal during the campaign period.
Initiatives for Cow Shelters and Fodder Management
The video conference also included a review of the state's cow shelters (gaushalas). To ensure adequate sustenance for the animals, the Chief Secretary directed officials to organize a special fodder collection campaign commencing April 15.
The campaign will involve procuring fodder through both donations and purchases. In a strategic move to expand resources, CS Goyal ordered that all grazing lands located within a four-kilometer radius of each cow shelter be formally linked to the respective facility to enhance fodder coverage.
Preparations for Wheat Harvest Season
Anticipating the upcoming wheat harvest season, the Chief Secretary outlined proactive measures for fodder storage. He instructed authorities to purchase fodder directly from local farmers at minimum support rates. This procured fodder is to be securely stored in permanent fodder godowns (warehouses) to create a reserve, ensuring a steady supply for the cow shelters in the coming months.
These series of directives from the Uttar Pradesh administration underscore a multi-pronged approach addressing immediate agricultural distress, enhancing student transportation safety, and strengthening animal welfare infrastructure ahead of the harvest season.
