Home secretary dismisses reports about army's rescue operations bill

Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami Thursday dismissed local media reports that the army and the NDRF had sent a bill of Rs.853 crore to the Jammu and Kashmir government for their relief and rescue operations after the floods in the state.

Briefing the media at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the home secretary dismissed as "baseless rumours" some local media reports about the bill.

Goswami said the relief package of Rs.745 crore announced by Modi Thursday was in addition to what would be finally given to the flood affected people in the state.

He said Modi's visit was "very fruitful" in understanding the problems of the people.

"Suggestions made by various delegations of people who met the prime minister have been well taken. The visit was very fruitful in understanding the problems faced by the people," he said.

After concluding his day-long visit, Modi flew back to New Delhi in the evening.