Hyderabad, October 07: Despite repeated requests from the State Government that the devastating and unprecedented floods that badly hit the State to be declared as a national calamity and an assistance of Rs 12,000 crore, the Centre seems to be in no hurry to heed to the State, if one goes by Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram’s statement today.
Chidambaram, in a statement today said the State Government may utilise the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) immediately and once 75 per cent of CRF is exhausted, the state may draw on the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). Advances from NCCF would be provided as soon as the State Government was ready to receive the Central team, who would assess the damage according to well established norms, he said.
He also assured that further measures would be considered, once Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji return from his trip abroad on October 7. The interim measures were advised so that rescue and relief operations should continue without hindrance.
“We were deeply moved by the scale of the calamity. The loss of life, property, cattle, and standing crops is enormous.
Lakhs of people have been accommodated in camps.
Rescue and relief operations are in full swing and it may take a few more days for the situation to stabilize. There will be more work to be done in the days and weeks ahead,’’ Chidambaram said.
The Union Home Minister said the Centre had rushed aid and help to the State in the form of troops, rescue and relief forces, diving and swimming teams, boats and helicopters.
The Centre is ready to provide more help, if needed.
“I wish to assure the State Government that availability of funds will not be a constraint and that it should focus on providing relief to the affected people. The Central Government offers its deepest sympathies to the affected people and assures that it will offer full assistance to provide them relief and rehabilitation,’’ Chidambaram said.
Chidambaram and UPA chairperson made an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of AP and Karnataka yesterday.
Interestingly, Chidambaram also made a similar statement with regard to Karnataka.
–Agencies–