MP seeks Rs 1000 cr Central aid for crop damage

Bhopal, Mar 18 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged the Centre to provide an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to compensate massive destruction caused by hailstorm and unseasonal rains in the state last fortnight.

The government machinery has been geared up to assess the damage, and distribute relief.

The unseasonal rains claimed 83 lives and damaged crops in over 2.82 lakh hectare area spread over 7732 villages in 44 districts.

''About 812 cattle perished and 8305 houses in the incident,'' he said quoting preliminary report.

Official sources said distribution of relief to the affected farmers was in progress and about Rs 68 lakh had already been disbursed to 5254 people.

Mr Chouhan said Revenue Book Circular had been amended to enhance the relief amount. The government has already waived land revenue, suspended recovery of bank loans and converted short-term loans to mid-term in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Human Resources Development Arjun singh has said a central team would shortly tour the state to take stock of the situation.

The Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues were touring the affected areas.

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