Cong castigates Centre for 500 crore relief bill

Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress today castigated the central government for charging an amount of Rs 500 crore for the relief and rescue operations carried out during last year's floods, saying it demonstrated an "insensitive" attitude.
"The Congress regrets the decision of the central government to deduct an amount of Rs 500 crore for the relief and rescue operations during the floods last year out of the already meagre financial assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of the devastating floods in the state," a party spokesman said here today.
The spokesman was reacting to the reports that the central government has deducted an amount of Rs 500 crore for adjustment against the bills for relief and rescue operations carried out during the devastating floods in September last out of the relief funds for the state.

"It is most unfortunate that the government has dealt with the grave situations and destruction caused in the state by the devastating floods in such a manner. This shows that the central government is insensitive to the situation and destruction caused by the unprecedented floods in the state" he said.
He said the Centre has failed to respond to the enormous destruction and need for restoration and rehabilitation and did not sanction the package of Rs 44000 crore forwarded by the State government.