The Hindu Business Line : PM doubles flood relief for AP

THE PRIME MINISTER, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, addressing the media at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad on Friday. - Mohammed Yousuf

Hyderabad , Aug. 11

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Friday doubled the Central flood relief to Andhra Pradesh by announcing allotment of another Rs 200 crore for relief measures in the flood-ravaged areas of the State.

Two days back, Mr Shivraj Patil, Union Minister for Home, had announced a sanction of Rs 200 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF). The State estimated that the flood havoc caused a loss of Rs 1,014 crore.

The Prime Minister also announced that a Central team would soon visit the State to make an assessment of the loss.

Relief Fund

Addressing reporters at Begumpet Airport after making an aerial survey of flood-hit areas, Dr Singh said the Centre would immediately release Rs 200 crore from National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF).

He, however, restrained himself from making a statement and didn't take questions from the press.

While States get funds from CRF (Centre and States contribute 75 per cent and 25 per cent respectively to the fund) annually in two instalments, assistance from NCCF is followed by recommendations from Central teams deputed to assess the extent of damage in times of national calamities.

Dr Singh also announced that the kin of the 110 deceased persons in Andhra Pradesh would get Rs 1 lakh from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Earlier in the day, he undertook an aerial survey in the flood-hit areas in the neighbouring Maharashtra. In the evening, he proceeded to Gujarat to visit flood-affected areas there.

`Granary of the nation'

Terming Andhra Pradesh the granary of the nation, Dr Singh said the Union Government would do everything to protect its production capacities. Stating that canal systems were also damaged in the unprecedented floods, he said the Government would help the State in strengthening the system.

CM's appeal

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr Rajasekhara Reddy, said the State needed the help of Centre to tide over the crisis. Terming it a national calamity, Dr Reddy said there was an urgent need to bund all major rivers.

He submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister explaining to him in detail the extent of loss.

In addition, he wanted the Centre to help in strengthening bunds along major rivers to prevent recurrence of floods.

While strengthening the embankment of the Godavari would cost Rs 650 crore, those of the Krishna, the Vamsadhara and the Nagavali would cost Rs 400 crore more, Dr Reddy said.

More Stories on : Natural Calamities | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page