The Hindu : Karnataka News : Centre urged to provide Rs. 500 crore for flood relief: M.P. Prakash

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Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Centre urged to provide Rs. 500 crore for flood relief: M.P. Prakash

Staff Correspondent

With prayers: Home Minister M.P. Prakash, along with his wife Rudramma, offering ‘bagina’ to the overflowing Tungabhadra at the reservoir in Hospet on Tuesday.

TUNGABHADRA DAM: Home Minister M.P. Prakash has said that the State Government has urged the Centre to immediately release Rs. 500 crore to provide flood relief in the State.

“The Chief Minister has urged the Prime Minister to arrange for the release of Rs. 500 crore immediately, out of the natural calamity fund, without waiting for the report on the damage caused by rain and floods. He has also sought the Prime Minister’s appointment to take an all-party delegation to submit a memorandum,” Mr. Prakash told presspersons after offering “bagina” to the overflowing Tungabhadra here on Tuesday.

During the current year, the State had received only Rs. 23 crore from the natural calamity fund. The Union Government would be urged to release the remaining amount, he said.

Mr. Prakash said that the recent floods and heavy rain had caused enormous damage to private and public property. Heavy damages had been caused to roads and bridges and power supply equipment including transformers had been damaged. Urgent steps should be taken to repair them for which funds were needed. A memorandum would be submitted to the Prime Minister along with the loss assessment report and he would be urged to send a Central team to assess the damage caused by rain and floods, the Minister said.

“Our past experience has been that the Union government does not release the entire amount sought. Yet, we will be submitting a memorandum, explaining the gravity of the prevailing situation here and seek additional financial assistance. Under the natural calamity fund, the Union Government will be giving 75 per cent of the amount allocated to the State and the remaining has to be borne by the State Government. At present, the Government has released Rs. 117 crore in two instalments.

Deputy Commissioners had been directed to provide relief to people in flood and rain-affected areas,” he said.

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