Rajnath Singh: Natural disasters a challenge for both state and centre

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called natural disasters a challenge to both the state where it has occurred as well as the Centre.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Singh said, "I feel that the natural disaster that hit Uttarakhand last year was one of the worst that this country has seen, because of which there has been heavy loss of life and property. It was a challenge, not only for the state government but also for the Centre. Both state and Centre have tried all they could do to prevent this disaster, to meet this challenge."

Singh added that Rawat and he had discussed the status of the progress of rehabilitation of those affected by the recent landslides and flooding and had also discussed internal security issues.

Earlier, Rawat said that he will discuss some key points with Singh, including the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Uttarakhand, the management of kanwar yatris, the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar and the requirement of the modernization of the Uttarakhand police and jail administration.