Andhra Pradesh   

Rs. 200 cr. more Central aid for Andhra Pradesh

Special Correspondent

Manmohan's announcement after `seeing the extensive damage'

HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday announced Rs. 200-crore more Central assistance from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF), "seeing the extensive damage", caused by the recent floods in Andhra Pradesh.

Wrapping up a brief hour-long visit to the State, Dr. Singh promised further assistance after a Central team's visit to the State shortly to assess the damage. He also announced ex gratia of Rs. 1 lakh each from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund to the next of the kin of 110 persons who perished in heavy rains and floods.

With Dr. Singh's announcement, the Central assistance now totals Rs. 400 crore, including Rs. 200 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund announced by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil during his visit to the State on Wednesday. Earlier, he flew over Godavari and Penganga basins in Nizamabad district en route Nanded in Maharashtra. On his return here, Dr. Singh went round a photo exhibition on flood damage, held a review meeting with Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and officials and later received representations from various political parties.

Dr. Reddy submitted a memorandum putting the flood damage tentatively at Rs. 1014 crore, and sought additional Rs. 1000 crore for building bunds along the Godavari, Krishna, Vamsadhara and Nagavali.

Dr. Manmohan Singh, who read out a statement at a press conference, noted that the Godavari had been flowing at unprecedented levels causing extensive flooding and damage to the rice bowl of the State — East and West Godavari districts. North Coastal Andhra, including Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam, were also badly affected.

In its memorandum, the Telugu Desam Party demanded release of Rs. 1000 crore for relief operations, declaring floods a national calamity.

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