DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara addressing officials of the Central team in Hyderabad on Sunday. Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: The State Government has sought Rs. 3,616-crore Central assistance for taking up temporary and permanent rehabilitation and restoration measures in the flood-hit districts.

The request was made at a wrap-up meeting the Central team members had with Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Sunday.

Revenue Minister D. Prasada Rao later told presspersons that a memorandum was submitted to the team, detailing the assistance required for various sectors, including Rs. 1,189.35 crores for closing breaches and Rs. 1,000 crores for flood protection and strengthening of bunds along the Nagavali, Vamsadhara and Godavari rivers. Funds were also sought for construction of four lakh houses through a special package under Indira Awas Yojana for the victims.

Break-up

The break-up for various sectors includes (rupees in crores) agriculture (46), animal husbandry (6.73), fisheries (2.03), Roads and Buildings-Panchayat Raj (203.43), Roads and Buildings (227.25), APTransco (12), municipal administration (132), education (17.1) medical and health (5), employment generation (280), artisans (77) and gratuitous relief (46).

Mr. Rao said that after the team submits its report to the Union Government, the Central Cabinet Sub-Committee would decide on the quantum of assistance to be released. He hoped the Centre would respond positively to the State's request. The team had visited eight districts to assess the devastation caused by floods.

Earlier, the Chief Minister told the team that the State had not witnessed such flood devastation in the recent past and underlined the importance of taking up permanent measures, like strengthening of bunds along the rivers. He said problem of floods could recur every year unless bunds were provided.

A major factor for breaches was silting of riverbeds.

V. K. Saxena, team leader, said the need for revision of norms on relief would be recommended in their report.

He told reporters that their report would be submitted within a fortnight. He appreciated the "good coordinated efforts" between the administration and people's representatives in mitigating people's suffering.

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