NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday asked the flood-affected States to submit detailed plans for rehabilitation and reconstruction to avail themselves of Central funds.

Drawing a distinction between relief, which the Centre has immediately sanctioned, and reconstruction, which is a time-consuming and capital-intensive activity, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in the Rajya Sabha that the Centre could not pay for rebuilding roads and houses merely on the basis of memoranda.

Responding to demands for immediate sanctioning of generous assistance, Mr. Patil said the States affected by natural calamities had demanded Rs. 35,000 crores for rehabilitation and reconstruction. As in the case of tsunami, when Rs. 10,000 crores was finally sanctioned, such a huge amount could not be given in the first instance, he said.

`Rehabilitation cannot be done in a week's time. It took two to three years to reconstruct Latur [after the earthquake] in Maharashtra. Funds cannot be given on the basis of a memorandum. What we are asking the States is to prepare plans on a long-term basis and the Centre would certainly look into them. While we are trying to do things without delay, we are also trying to be correct so that there are no difficulties [in future].''

The Centre recently provided over Rs. 3,000 crores for tackling floods in the southern States and natural calamities in others. "That was for relief. It was completely different from rehabilitation. All Chief Ministers, including that of Tamil Nadu know this. They also understand some more money would be given,'' he said, capping a five-hour discussion on the situation arising from the floods in Tamil Nadu.

Takes umbrage

Mr. Patil took umbrage at N. Jyothi and S.G. Indira of the AIADMK demanding money since the States sent all the money in the form of tax to the Central exchequer.

"This is the country's pocket. Have you realised that the Centre has no territory except the Union Territories? If you say `we' are contributing money, this psychology will disturb the unity of the country. The Government does not spend the [money from] taxes anywhere else. It is used for protecting the country, for power projects, etc. Why don't you realise it? We did not take one minute to sanction relief to Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. My request is don't have any misgiving that any amount of money shall be given to one State or the other. Let there be no confusion on this,'' he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged the gravity of the problem, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where surface infrastructure had been destroyed and homes swept away.

Inadequate

infrastructure

The floods exposed the inadequate infrastructure in the metros, he said. He felt that the Centre and the local authorities would have to make sustained efforts to bring about improvement.

Reserving praise for the speech by the recent entrant P. Madhu of the CPI(M), Mr. Patil said the crux of the problem was declining investment in rural areas for irrigation and other farm-related activities.

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