Flood-hit Maharashtra seeks Rs 500 crore central relief

The Maharashtra government has sought aid worth Rs 500 crore from the Central government to deal with losses caused by heavy rains.

The rains, which have been continuously lashing the state for over a week, have created a serious flood situation in the state, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Addressing the media after an emergency state Cabinet meeting called to review the flood situation in the state, Deshmukh said, "So far 97 persons have lost their lives in rain-related mishaps. Most of the people have died because of caving in of walls and 11 due to drowning."

More than 2,000 villages in 110 talukas of 19 districts in the state have been affected due to floods and 63,000 families have been evacuated to safer places. Marathwada region is the worst hit.

"I will be touring the area along with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday," he added.

Deshmukh further said that the state government has taken a decision to give aid to affected families along last year's lines.

The affected families will be given cash compensation of Rs 10,000 as interim relief if any person from that family has died, subjected to a restriction of Rs 5,000 as immediate relief. Other affected families will be given 10 kg of jowar and rice and 10 lt of kerosene.

The final compensation package will be announced after flood water recedes and state officials visit the affected areas and carry out the Panchanama, said Deshmukh.

In Central government's Emergency Calamity Fund, state had a share of Rs 236 crore and from that fund, state has so far spent around Rs 130 crore on relief and rescue work, he said while answering a query.

Last year after the July 26 deluge, the state received an aid of nearly Rs 1,200 crore from the Central government and asked for another Rs 6,000 crore from the Central government.

"But, the Central government has not taken any decision on our demand," said Deshmukh.