The Hindu : National : Rs. 100 crore for Aila relief sanctioned

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Rs. 100 crore for Aila relief sanctioned

Marcus Dam

KOLKATA: A sum of Rs.100 crore has been sanctioned from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the construction of multipurpose storm shelters in the districts of West Bengal affected by cyclone Aila, which struck on May 25.

The State government had sought Rs.252 crore from the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project for the construction of 357 permanent shelters for victims of natural calamities in the region.

A sum of Rs.100 crore had so far been sanctioned for the purpose, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said here on Thursday. The government was informed of the decision by a member of the National Disaster Management Authority.

The funds would help in the construction of 200 shelters.

Initially, work would begin in the three districts of South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas and Purbo Medinipur which were the worst hit in the cyclone.

It would later be taken up in other districts in coordination with district authorities and local rural bodies, he said.

The State Cabinet, which met during the day, also ratified a decision to acquire 5,963 acres of land for the reconstruction of embankments along a stretch of 834 km in the Sundarbans where Aila caused extensive damage to the dykes, resulting in flooding in vast areas.

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