Govt open to debate on flood situation in LS: Minister

The government is willing to hold a detailed discussion on the flood situation in the country, but parties should refrain from politicising the issue, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said today.

During the Zero Hour, K C Venugopal (Congress) demanded that the government should declare floods in Kerala a natural calamity as it has resulted in loss of thousands of crores of rupees.

Kumar said besides Kerala, floods have also affected states like Odisha, Karnataka and Bihar.

"It's a matter of concern. I can assure that we can have a detailed discussion under rule 193 on flood situation if members so want," Kumar said.

He, however, advised the parties "not to politicise the issue of human suffering".

He said the Centre will extend assistance to not only Kerala but all flood-hit states.