Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that 1,000 quintals of wheat seeds have been dispatched to Punjab to aid farmers affected by recent floods. The gesture underscores the UP government’s commitment to supporting farmers during natural calamities.
The announcement was made during a flag-off ceremony for seed assistance vehicles, organized to send relief to flood-affected farmers in Punjab.
“The floods in Punjab disrupted daily life and damaged seed storage facilities, which could hamper agricultural productivity. In this hour of need, Uttar Pradesh stands firmly with the farmers of Punjab,” said CM Yogi. He expressed gratitude to the Agriculture Department and the Seed Development Corporation for coordinating the effort.
The wheat seeds being sent are of a high-yielding variety, with a maturity period of 155 days and a productivity potential of up to 80 quintals per hectare, ensuring both quality and timely harvest for the affected farmers.
Tribute and Past Relief Efforts
CM Yogi also marked the birth anniversary of Harvinder Sahib Govind, recalling his contributions to public service.
“Harvinder Sahib Govind worked for the welfare of the people, and when he visited Punjab, homes were lit with lamps in his honour,” he noted.
Highlighting previous humanitarian efforts, the Chief Minister mentioned that Uttar Pradesh has extended support to other states during natural disasters, including Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, through material aid and assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
“Today, our effort to send 1,000 quintals of seeds is being widely appreciated. This is a high-quality wheat variety that will support farmers in rebuilding their livelihoods,” he added.
CM Yogi also praised the turnaround of the Seed Development Corporation, which was previously underperforming. He credited the current government for reforming the department and making such initiatives possible.
Punjab’s Demand for Flood Relief
Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addressed the ongoing State Assembly discussions on the Rehabilitation Bill, introduced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to address flood-related damages in the state.
Cheema criticized the Centre’s response to Punjab’s request for flood relief. “Punjab requested Rs 20,000 crore in aid, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced only Rs 1,600 crore, which has yet to be released,” he said.
The wheat seed donation from Uttar Pradesh comes at a critical time as Punjab continues to recover from the severe impact of the floods, and efforts to secure adequate central assistance are still underway.
