Maha govt announces Rs 1934 cr special package for Vidarbha

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today announced a special package of Rs 1934.50 crore for Vidarbha, which has witnessed widespread devastation of crops and property due to heavy rains.
Chavan ,however, did not make any comment on the declaration of "wet drought" in the region as demanded by the ruling and opposition members.
The chief minister made the announcement in the state Legislative Assembly, while replying to a discussion on Vidarbha rains, initiated by Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar under rule 293 of the House.
"Of the 237 people killed in the state due to heavy rains, 107 belonged to Vidarbha," he said.

The Vidarbha package comprises Rs 840 crore on schemes to effectively tackle the natural calamities such as excess rainfall and floods, Rs 720 crore to reconstruct government properties and Rs 375 crore to individuals affected due to rains in districts of Vidarbha.
While the opposition legislators had demanded an assistance of Rs 25,000 per hectare, Chavan announced assistance of Rs 7,500 per hectare for rice and Rs 5,000 per hectare for soya bean and other crops damaged in the region.
"Flood-hit people in the region will get 20 kg grains and 10 litre kerosene," Chavan said, adding Rs 600 crore will be provided for further strengthening of roads which are badly damaged due to heavy rains, while Rs 100 crore will be given to four municipal corporations to carry out repair works.

Chavan also announced an assistance of Rs 70,000 to each of the 3,800 persons whose permanent houses have been fully damaged while Rs 25,000 to each person whose permanent house has been partially damaged.