Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday ordered government officials to suspend the recovery of revenue and electricity dues from rural areas affected by a thunderstorm that swept through the state three days ago.
Adityanath, who arrived in Agra from poll-bound Karnataka on Friday night, also promised “pucca” houses to those left homeless. His agenda for the day included visiting 21 injured patients at the SN Medical College, conducting an aerial survey of storm-hit areas, and meeting affected families in Fatehabad and Kheragarh tehsils.
“I have directed district officials and public representatives of my party to initiate relief work at places that have suffered damage due to the storm. Many have been provided relief. We can understand your grief,” Adityanath told villagers.
Kheragarh and Fatehabad lost 25 and 13 lives to the thunderstorm respectively.
The chief minister said that a compensatory sum of ₹4 lakh has been awarded to dependents of each victim, and arrangements made for the treatment of those injured. “The district administration has been asked to not let anybody suffer in this hour of crisis,” he added.
Adityanath said efforts are on to rectify the infrastructural damage caused by the storm. “Over 8,000 electricity poles have fallen. Measures are being taken to restore power supply at the earliest,” he assured. “Besides this, we will provide pucca houses to those rendered homeless, and suspend recovery of revenue and electricity dues in affected areas. The loss of crops, cattle and other belongings are being assessed. You will be duly compensated.”
{{/usCountry}}Adityanath said efforts are on to rectify the infrastructural damage caused by the storm. “Over 8,000 electricity poles have fallen. Measures are being taken to restore power supply at the earliest,” he assured. “Besides this, we will provide pucca houses to those rendered homeless, and suspend recovery of revenue and electricity dues in affected areas. The loss of crops, cattle and other belongings are being assessed. You will be duly compensated.”
{{/usCountry}}The chief minister also stressed on the need to put in place an advanced calamity warning system, so losses can be minimised.
‘Dislike politics over tragedies’
Referring to a jibe by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav over the chief minister’s absence from the state after the thunderstorm, Adityanath said he dislikes “politics being played over tragedies”.
“Akhilesh has lost compassion. Instead of extending a helping hand to victims, he chose to stay back and add salt to the injuries of victims through his Twitter comment. This is condemnable, unfortunate and shameful,” he asserted.
Adityanath was campaigning for the BJP in poll-bound Karnataka when the thunderstorm stuck on Wednesday night. In the face of mounting criticism, he cut short his visit and rushed back to tour affected areas of Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
The chief minister later left for Kanpur, which has also been ravaged by the thunderstorm.