MP asks Centre Rs 575 cr for disaster relief efforts

This year's monsoon claimed 390 human lives, 1,42,462 houses

Even an intense war does not claim human lives and properties to such an extent what a persistent rain this season has claimed in Madhya Pradesh. According to a government survey as this year's monsoon claimed as many as 390 human lives, 1,42,462 houses damaged severely, 44660 houses damaged partially and 3,997 huts have been destroyed completely.  

The survey reveals that 14, 72,000 people suffered badly due to heavy rains during June to September this year.

After receiving a go ahead from election commission state government has demanded an amount of Rs 575 crore additional central assistance from National Disaster Response Fund for relief, restoration and rehabilitation on damaged public property.

According to revenue department survey and estimate the total damage to kharif crop, mainly soya, is estimated at 9.25 lakh hectares. Of this area, “5.63 lakh hectare crop has been damaged to more than 50%. Those who are the worst sufferers are small and marginal farmers. As many as 250,000 small and marginal farmers have lost 2.61 lakh hectare crop more than 50%t in the state due to heavy rains."

Though state requires an amount of Rs 678 crore to provide financial assistance to the affected farmers against loss of crops, human lives, cattle and houses, it has estimated to pay an amount of Rs 363 crore as laid norms under national disaster relief fund.  

“State revenue department had estimated that state needs an amount of Rs 212 crore against expenditure incurred in rescue works, relief camps and for immediate repair of damaged infrastructure,” a well-placed government source told BS.

The size of the state disaster response fund is Rs 454.66 crore for current financial year 2013-14. Of this Rs 384 crore has already been released against losses due to natural calamities like hailstorms and frost occurred during February-March 2013 and Uttrakhand disaster 2013. The central has released 170 crore as first tranche of the fund and state has chipped in Rs 56.83 crore. State has 227.33 crore in state disaster relief fund.