UP sanctions Rs 18.81 cr to aid homeless in winter

Lucknow, Nov 8 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs 18.81 crore for poor and homeless ahead of the winter when the cold wave creates havoc, an official said on Tuesday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has issued instructions to provide succour to the poor, destitute and homeless and ensured relief by planning distribution of blankets and lighting up of bonfires, he added.

The state government spokesman further informed that following the directives of the Chief Minister the said funds were already released.

Keeping in mind the problems faced during past winters, every tehsil (sub division) was given five lakh rupees for purchase of blankets for the poor. A sum of Rs 17.10 crore alone was earmarked for blanket distribution in 342 tehsils.

Another sum of Rs 50,000 was provided to each of these tehsils to arrange bonfires at public places, and a total of Rs 1.71 crore was sanctioned for the purpose.