Lucknow, May 15 -- Amid the loss of life and crop damage caused by storms, rainfall and lightning strikes across Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday issued directives to provide immediate financial assistance of Rs.4 lakh to the next of kin in the event of a fatality caused by the disaster. Additionally, strict instructions have been issued to the administration to expedite relief delivery to farmers, livestock owners and other affected families. The CM has also directed the ministers-in-charge of all districts to visit the affected families and take stock of the situation. In this hour of calamity, the government stands firmly with the people, and no form of negligence in relief operations will be tolerated, the chief minister said, according to an official statement. Farmers will be compensated for crop damage exceeding 33%. The compensation rates have been fixed at Rs.8,500 per hectare for rain-fed areas, Rs.17,000 per hectare for assured-irrigation areas, and Rs.22,500 per hectare for perennial crops and agro-forestry. This assistance will be extended to farmers owning a maximum of two hectares of land. The Yogi government has also made provisions to provide assistance of up to Rs.18,000 per hectare for the removal of silt and debris accumulated in fields due to excessive rainfall. This will help affected farmers resume their farming activities. The chief minister has instructed district magistrates to complete the damage assessment surveys with speed and transparency to ensure that eligible farmers receive relief in a timely manner. The Yogi government has implemented a comprehensive assistance scheme to provide relief to livestock owners. Financial aid of up to Rs.37,500 will be provided in the event of the death of milch animals, such as cows and buffaloes. Assistance has been fixed at Rs.32,000 for non-milch animals like oxen and horses, and Rs.20,000 for calves, donkeys, mules, and ponies. Financial aid of Rs.4,000 per animal will also be provided for the loss of sheep, goats, and pigs....