Cong demands relief package for flood-hit Amreli

The Congress today demanded special relief package for Amreli district in Gujarat where around 300 villages were severely hit by floods last month.
Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani dashed off a letter to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel stating that over 5 lakh people of around 300 villages of Amreli were severely hit due to heavy rains followed by floods on June 24.
Dhanani, who represents Amreli constituency, claimed that even after two weeks have passed, neither the Centre nor the state government has not announced a special relief package for the affected region, where people are desperately in need of help.

Though the state government has already announced to provide compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Dhanani said that it should be at least Rs 5 lakhs.
Dhanani said since the floods have washed away crops and fertile farmlands, the state government should waive off all the loans given to farmers of the affected region and provide interest-free loans for five years to them.
Since the massive floods have washed away countless houses and other belongings, Dhanani asked the government to immediately pay compensation ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh, depending on the damage to the houses.

Raising questions on the government's survey to assess loss, the MLA said that it (survey) is not at all comprehensive and it has to be carried out again.

He further demanded that all the farmers, shopkeepers, house-owners and cattle-rearers must be given fair compensation at the earliest.
He also alleged that state government has not done enough to address the issue and ignored several representations made to the government earlier by Congress in this regard.
Giving an ultimate to the government, Dhanani said if his demand of a special relief package is not accepted by the government in three days, he along with Congress workers will start an agitation.