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Mayawati demands Rs 56 bn in aid to tackle drought

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati has urged the Union government to provide an additional assistance of Rs 56.01 billion to tackle the situation arising out of drought in the state.

UP was facing severe drought conditions and the state government has taken various measures under which several programmes are being carried out on war footing, Mayawati said in a letter to the Centre.

Mayawati urged the Centre to provide for an assistance of Rs 18.92 billion so that the state can give agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilisers to the farmers.

She demanded Rs 32.65 billion for "creating employment opportunities for the people living below the poverty line" and also to run various programmes conducted by the rural development department.

She said another Rs 406 million would be required for free boring of hand-pumps, changing the pipeline and water supply -- projects to be implemented in the drought-hit areas under an emergency plan.

Mayawati admitted that the financial health of Uttar Pradesh was seriously imbalanced and it was necessary to set that right.

The chief minister said the government would take steps to improve the fiscal health of the state and strengthen the taxation system to check tax evasion, but at the same time ensure that the common people did not face excessive burden.

She said a medium term financial restructuring policy has been prepared to augment financial resources and reduce expenditure.

A state level auditor general has been appointed to make the financial management more effective, she said.

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