Lucknow, March 16 (PTI): Taking serious note of the losses suffered by the farmers due to rains and hailstorm, Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has released Rs 200 crore from state's emergency funds and directed officials to suspend recovery of dues from farmers.

"The CM has released Rs 200 crores from state's emergency funds and directed Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan to suspend recovery of dues from farmers," an official spokesman said here.

The CM also directed to give double the amount earmarked by Centre for natural calamities from state government's funds.

He said that if any farmer had died due to natural calamity, his family members should immediately be given Rs 5 lakh aid.

The CM also directed to appoint Principal Secretary rank officers to distribute relief amount to farmers in 25 districts where crops are affected due to rains and hailstorm.

"The farmers should get the relief amount without any delay. Any laxity in this regard will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against guilty officers," he said.