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Extensive damage by floods found, says Central study team

Special Correspondent

"Report will be in `sensitive and sympathetic spirit'"

JAIPUR: The Central study team which visited the flood-affected areas of Rajasthan during the past three days assured the State on Wednesday that all possible assistance would be extended to rebuild the lives of people who had lost their homes and restore the infrastructure damaged by heavy rains. The team said it would prepare the report to be submitted to the Centre in a "sensitive and sympathetic spirit''.

The team, led by the Registrar-General (Census) D.K. Sikri, said at a meeting with senior State Government officials here that it had noticed extensive damage caused by floods in several districts and observed relief works. It noted that the issues such as clearance of debris and compensation for damaged houses should be addressed effectively.

Mr. Sikri said the State Government should formulate a clear policy on providing assistance for housing and replacement of cattle. "While assessing the housing needs of those affected by floods, it should be clarified whether assistance has to be given for all damaged houses or only the ones which qualify under the norms,'' he said.

Asking the State Government to come out with some support not otherwise provided in the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF), Mr. Sikri said an accurate assessment for help that could be given under various schemes and the compensation to small and marginal farmers should be made in the State. He noted that the size of agricultural holdings of small farmers in the flood-affected Barmer and Jaisalmer districts was very large.

Chief Secretary Anil Vaish, presenting the State Government's viewpoint, said the desert districts in western Rajasthan were not prepared for floods because the heavy rainfall was unprecedented in the region. "Keeping in view the nature and magnitude of the natural calamity, the State expects more than normal assistance from the Centre,'' he said.

Mr. Vaish requested the team members to make a submission for extraordinary assistance for the flood-affected areas in addition to the support provided under the CRF and NCCF norms.

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