Centre releasing Rs 500 cr for Andhra, K'taka

An inter-ministerial group will meet shortly to assess the report submitted by a central team on the situation arising out of floods in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

The team, which visited the two states to assess the damage, submitted its report yesterday, Minister of State for Home M Ramachandran said during the Question Hour.

Responding to supplementaries, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the Centre was in the process of releasing around Rs 500 crore.

"In the meantime, the state governments have been asked to spend some funds and once the assessment is done, the money will be reimbursed," Chidambaram said.

Maintaining that funds were not a constraint in providing relief and rehabilitation in the flood hit states, which also included Maharashtra, he said, "In fact advance money is being sent to all the affected states. There is no shortage of funds for disaster relief.

"I have visited Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and spoken to Chief Ministers of both the states. Currently assessment of damage is being made and would be completed shortly."

He said both the CMs have sought special assistance for relief and for construction of extra houses under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY).

"Both the CMs have come forward with reconstruction proposals after relief and rehabilitation work is done. They are seeking fast pacing of reconstruction work. However, I wish to inform the House that reconstruction takes some time and this will be addressed humanely and compassionately," Chidambaram said.