UP constitutes drought monitoring cell

Lucknow, April 30  Due to severe drought conditions in parts of the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has formed a special drought monitoring cell which will be headed by joint secretary of the revenue department, an official said on Saturday.

Relief Commissioner Anil Kumar said that the finance controller of the UP State Natural Calamity Authority and some other officials would be members of the cell. 

Raja Ram, joint secretary of the reveue epartment has been named as head of the cell.

The cell will coordinate with central agencies about relief for the drought affected districts, especially in Bundelkhand. 

"Instructions have been issued to all district magistrates and a control room has also been establish to tackle the drought and roll out relief measures" Kumar informed.