States » NorthPosted at: Nov 3 2026 10:55PM


'Annapurna Bhojanalayas' to be set up at agri markets for farmers: Yogi

Lucknow, Nov 3 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that his government would soon introduce a special relief package for farmers affected by crop losses due to adverse weather conditions, benefiting around three crore farming families in the state.
He also announced a separate package to promote women's economic self-reliance and said community kitchens, named 'Annapurna Bhojanalayas', would be set up at major agricultural markets and labour hubs to provide affordable meals to farmers and workers.
Addressing an event to distribute LPG cylinder refill subsidies to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on Diwali, Adityanath said the government is committed to ensuring security, dignity and self-reliance for every section of society.
He said the state government is providing immediate compensation to farmers whose standing crops were damaged by heavy rainfall, strong winds and storms over the past 15 days. A separate relief package would be rolled out soon to support three crore farming families.
Citing climate change, the El Niño phenomenon and unseasonal cyclones, the chief minister said farmers are increasingly facing challenges such as excessive rainfall, drought and hailstorms.
On women's empowerment, Adityanath said the government would soon launch a special package to make women economically independent and urged them to identify the activities they wished to pursue.
"The government will stand with them," he said, adding that the objective is to enable every woman to become self-reliant, support her family and provide quality education to her children.
Referring to the Lakhpati Didi and BC Sakhi initiatives, he said women are increasingly taking up economic activities, including night shifts in industries, due to an improved security environment in the state.
He also said the honorarium of Anganwadi workers, cooks, village watchmen and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PRD) personnel has been increased, while the process of revising payments for other categories was being expedited.
Announcing the setting up of Annapurna Bhojanalayas at agricultural mandis and labour hubs, Adityanath said farmers bringing their produce to markets and construction workers would be able to get wholesome meals at nominal rates.
He said farmers would no longer have to depend on basic refreshments such as jaggery and water while waiting at mandis, and would instead have access to affordable meals.
The chief minister also announced a Diwali gift for more than 1.89 crore eligible Ujjwala beneficiaries, involving an expenditure of around Rs 1,500 crore.
He said the domestic LPG cylinder currently costs Rs 983.45, of which the Centre provides a subsidy of Rs 335.40, leaving beneficiaries to pay Rs 648.55. The state government has deposited the remaining amount directly with gas companies on behalf of eligible families, allowing them to collect refills without making any payment.
The move would save each beneficiary family around Rs 650, which could be used to buy sweets and earthen lamps for the festival, he said.
Targeting previous governments, Adityanath said obtaining an LPG connection before 2014 was difficult, with poor families allegedly having to pay bribes ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ujjwala Yojana from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh on May 1, 2016, to provide free LPG connections to poor households and free women from smoke-filled kitchens.
Describing the direct transfer of subsidies as an example of good governance, he said government benefits were now reaching the poorest without discrimination.
Referring to a recent World Bank report, he claimed that 46 crore people in India moved above the poverty line.
Comparing the situation before 2017 with the present, Adityanath said festivals in Uttar Pradesh were earlier marked by riots, curfews and insecurity, affecting traders and ordinary people.
He claimed that improved law and order has transformed the atmosphere, with markets now witnessing increased activity during festivals.
The government was also working to ensure that the benefits of development reached all sections, including the poor, labourers and youth, he said.
Adityanath said facilities such as cooking gas, electricity, roads, drinking water, healthcare and housing were being extended to poor families, while employment opportunities were being created for young people.
He added that Atal Residential Schools were providing quality education to children of labourers, while labour camps were being developed with facilities for workers, including food.
Stressing that Uttar Pradesh's progress depended on the economic empowerment of women, he said the state's self-reliance would contribute significantly to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The Diwali subsidy for Ujjwala beneficiaries is a step in that direction, and the government would launch further welfare initiatives to ensure prosperity and dignity for all sections of society, he said.UNI MBD AAB
Tags: #'Annapurna Bhojanalayas' to be set up at agri markets for farmers: Yogi
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