CM Yogi Flags Off 500-Bike Rally in Gorakhpur, Releases Mega Disaster Relief for 9 Lakh Farmers

Ushering in an integrated drive for women's security and agricultural rehabilitation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the sixth phase of 'Mission Shakti' in Gorakhpur. Invoking the auspicious blessings of Goddess Brahmacharini on the second day of Sharadiya Navratri, the Chief Minister flagged off a massive 500 two-wheeler awareness rally from the Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium premises. Alongside the flagship public safety initiative, the Chief Minister leveraged direct benefit transfer (DBT) channels to credit crucial disaster compensation into the bank accounts of over nine lakh farmers distressed by seasonal floods, severe cyclones, unseasonal hailstorms, and heavy rainfall across the state.

Mission Shakti Phase 6: 500-Bike Awareness Rally Amplifies Women's Safety

The landmark rollout in Gorakhpur reinforces the double-engine government’s three-point mantra of safety, respect, and economic self-reliance for women:

• Navratri Launch and Devotion: Framing female empowerment as a spiritual and civic duty, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath initiated the sixth edition of the statewide campaign after paying reverent homage to Goddess Adishakti’s second avatar, Mata Brahmacharini.

• Massive Two-Wheeler Convoys: The launch featured a high-visibility awareness motorcade consisting of 500 two-wheelers ridden by administrative personnel, civic volunteers, and police officers, designated to traverse community corridors to spread awareness about state helplines, legal safeguards, and welfare provisions.

• Core Governance Priority: Following the flag-off, the Chief Minister reiterated via social media that the comprehensive protection and financial independence of women remain the foundational building blocks of a developed and safe Uttar Pradesh.

• Prominent Dignitaries in Attendance: The high-profile ceremony witnessed the presence of Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, MLAs Fateh Bahadur Singh, Shriram Chauhan, Vipin Singh, Mahendrapal Singh, Dr. Vimlesh Paswan, Pradeep Shukla, MLC Dr. Dharmendra Singh, Sarwan Nishad, and State Women Commission Vice President Charu Chaudhary, alongside key civil and police leaders.

Swift Financial Lifeline: Compensation Disbursed to Over 9 Lakh Flood-Hit Farmers

Turning immediately to rural welfare, the Chief Minister orchestrated financial relief transfers to shield agricultural families from extreme climate shocks:

• Direct Account Transfers: Utilizing transparent digital gateways at the Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium, the administration disbursed monetary compensation directly to more than 900,000 farmers affected by recent floods, cyclonic conditions, and crop-flattening hailstorms.

• Speedy Administrative Intervention: In line with Chief Minister Adityanath's orders, field surveys assessing agricultural devastation were accelerated across vulnerable districts to ensure financial assistance landed in bank accounts without bureaucratic delays or intermediary commissions.

Historic Agricultural Spending: Loan Waivers, Record Foodgrains, and Sugarcane Cleared

Detailing the administration's agricultural investments, UP Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi contrasted current budgetary outlays against previous state regimes:

• The ₹36,000 Crore Debt Relief Benchmark: Shahi recalled that in 2017, the Yogi cabinet’s inaugural decision granted a ₹36,000 crore loan waiver benefiting 86 lakh farmers statewide.

• Three-Fold Increase in Farm Outlays: Highlighting historical budget data, the Minister pointed out that previous dispensations under Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav spent ₹10,207 crore and roughly ₹12,000 crore respectively on agricultural support, whereas the current government has directed ₹69,163 crore into farmer welfare.

• Unprecedented Grain Output: Sustained distribution of certified seeds, round-the-clock rural power feeders, and subsidized fertilizers enabled Uttar Pradesh to generate an unprecedented 75.2 million metric tons of food grains during the last farming cycle.

• Record Sugarcane Payouts: After elevating sugarcane procurement rates up to ₹400 per quintal, the administration cleared ₹3.25 lakh crore in cumulative cane arrears over a decade across 105 sugar mills operating on a strict 15-day clearance timetable, compared to just ₹62,000 crore settled over a five-year window by the previous government.

Safeguarding Agricultural Income: ₹6,125 Crore Distributed via PM Fasal Bima Yojana

The state leadership outlined comprehensive protections guaranteed under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):

• Multi-Year Crop Insurance Benefits: Between financial year 2017-18 and the current cycle, Uttar Pradesh has distributed ₹6,125 crore in settlement claims to disaster-struck agrarian households.

• Targeted Allocations in 2025-26: During the recent 2025-26 period alone, ₹812.76 crore was disbursed to 7.31 lakh farmers suffering unforeseen seasonal losses.

• Broadening the Insurance Shield: The active insured farmer base expanded from 1.8 lakh up to 2.4 lakh individuals, with targeted compensation packages including an immediate ₹5 crore transfer directed to affected growers in Jalaun district.

• Expedited Relief Deployments: Shahi noted that while previous regimes held back central disaster relief funds—disbursing merely ₹800 crore out of ₹3,200 crore received—the present administration cleared the remaining backlog within seven working days of coming into office.