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| Funds no constraint for flood-hit states: Chidambaram |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Oct 06, 2009, 11:41 IST |
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The Centre today assured flood-ravaged Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh that funds will not be a constraint for relief and rehabilitation and asked them to focus on providing succour to the affected people.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, who visited the flood-hit areas of the two southern states, said the state governments may utilise the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) immediately and once 75 per cent of CRF is exhausted, the states may draw on the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF).
"Advances from NCCF will be provided. As soon as the state government concerned is ready to receive the central team, a team will be sent to the state to assess the damage according to well established norm," he said in a statement.
"I wish to assure the state governments that availability of funds will not be a constraint and that they should focus on providing relief to the affected people," he said.
The measures have been taken after consultation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Chidambaram said further measures would be considered on the return of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee from his trip abroad tomorrow.
"We have advised these interim measures in order that rescue and relief operations should continue without hindrance," he said.
Chidambaram made an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi yesterday.
"We were deeply moved by the scale of the calamity. The loss of life, property, cattle, and standing crops is enormous. Lakhs of people have been accommodated in camps. Rescue and relief operations are in full swing, and it may take a few more days for the situation to stabilise. There will be more work to be done in the days and weeks ahead," he said.
Chidambaram said the government has rushed aid and help to the affected states in the form of troops, rescue and relief forces, diving and swimming teams, boats and helicopters.
"The Central government stands ready to provide more help, if needed." he added.
An amount of Rs 139.36 crore has been allocated in the CRF for Karnataka for 2009-10, comprising Rs 104.52 crore as central contribution and Rs 34.84 crore as state contribution. The first installment of Central share of CRF amounting to Rs 52.26 crore has already been released.
An amount of Rs 418.22 crore has been allocated in the CRF for Andhra Pradesh for 2009-10, comprising Rs 313.66 crore as central contribution and Rs 104.56 crore as state contribution. The first installment of Central share of CRF amounting to Rs 156.83 crore has already been released.
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