Taking its second biggest decision since coming to power, the Uttar Pradesh government on April 11, 2017 decided to waive surcharge on electricity dues.
It also gave nod to an agreement with the Centre to ensure 24X7 power supply by October 2018.
The MoU between UP and the Centre would be signed in the presence of Yogi and Union power minister Piyush Goyal.
The surcharge waiver would cost the state exchequer around INR 3,500 crore.
Also, in a first, the UP government has decided to purchase potatoes directly from farmers to cut wastage of the crop due to shortage of cold storages.
Coming in support of the UP government, the Centre approved procurement of 1 lakh metric tonne (MT) of potatoes in the state under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) during 2016-17 crop year (July-June).
The approval is in tune with the UP cabinet's decision to procure potatoes so that the farmers are not forced to sell it at throwaway prices in summer.
The purchase will be made at Rs 4,870 per MT. The agriculture ministry will provide an additional Rs 1,217.50 per MT for overhead expenses.
In another decision, the government gave nod to short-term mining policy, allowing district magistrates to give permits for mining for a limited period to plug the shortfall of sand and building material.
The permit, to be given in 10 days, will be issued through e-tendering.
Yogi Adityanath: Know More- Born: 5 June 1972 Pauri Garhwal district
- Education: Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University
- Party: Bharatiya Janata Party
- Deputy: Keshav Prasad Maurya, Dinesh Sharma
