Floods: PM Modi assures proactive insurance to farmers facing losses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grave concern over the flood situation affecting several parts of India, and assurance the crop insurance companies have been made proactive to ensure speedy settlement of the loss caused to the farmers.

"In particular, the farmer's brethren have to bear a lot of losses because of the damage to their crops and fields in floods situation. We have made the crop insurance companies proactive to ensure speedy settlement of the loss caused to the farmers," the prime minister said in his 34th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat'.

He said that 24x7 control room helpline number 1078 is made functional continuously to deal with the flood situation.

"Before monsoons, entire government machinery was brought into state of preparedness through mock drills undertaken at most of the places. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed and 'Aapada Mitra', or 'Friends during Disaster' were identified at various places during the flood situation," he said.

He assured that volunteers have also been enlisted, and a people's organisations has been set up to work in this situation.

The Prime Minster stressed that the flood affected areas are being closely monitored and the relief efforts are being undertaken on an extensive scale, by the government.

"State governments too are making maximum possible efforts on their part to provide relief to the flood affected people. Even the social, cultural organisation and citizens are charged with spirit of service and are also making utmost efforts to help the affected people," he said.

The Prime Minister further ensured that everyone including the Centre, the Indian Army, the Indian Air force, a team of NDRF and the Paramilitary forces are doing their best in providing succor to disaster stricken people.

"Life goes completely topsy-turvy as a result of the floods. Crops, livestock, infrastructure, roads, electricity, communication links - everything gets affected," he said.

Heavy rains in several parts of India in the past few weeks have created havoc due to flooding.

According to reports, seventy people have died in Gujarat due to rains till now. As many as 25,000 people were shifted, mostly in Banaskantha, as the district witnessed its worst floods in recent years on Monday.

Due to excessive rainfall and heavy flooding, water entered many houses and residential areas in Gujarat's Patan.

The Prime Minister recently undertook an aerial survey of the region and announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh to the next kin of those killed in Gujarat floods, and Rs. 50,000 to those injured.

He said more than Rs 500 crores will be provided by the Centre to the State Disaster Management, to provide relief at this time of emergency.

Prime Minister Modi will visit Assam on August 1 to review the flood situation in the state.

He would discuss all the aspects related to floods with the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior officials during his visit.

The flood has claimed more than 70 lives in the Assam so far.

The Centre has already announced an ex-gratia of Rs. two lakhs for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50, 0000 to those seriously injured in the floods.

The floods in the region have badly affected over 30 lakh people in 29 districts of Assam this year.