Chhattisgarh gets Rs 65 crore interim help for flood relief

Raipur, Aug 18 (UNI) The Centre has sanctioned Rs 65 crore as interim assistance for flood relief for Chhattisgarh, Union Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal said today.

Addressing a press conference here tonight after visiting two flood-hit districts, including the naxalite infested South Bastar region and reviewing the flood relief measures, he said the state government has demanded Rs 329 crore for the purpose.

Mr Jaiswal said a Central team would visit the state soon to make an on the spot assessment of the damages caused to houses, crops, government buildings due to flood in South Bastar and at Balodabazar region in Raipur district.

''The Centre will consider the demand and relief funds accordingly from the calamity relief fund,'' he added.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the relief measures undertaken so far, the Union Minister parried a direct reply saying that equitable distribution of relief was a major task and it would take at least a fortnight to make an assessment about it.

Mr Jaiswal said the state government should also take adequate steps to prevent the possibility of outbreak of any epidemic in the flood-hit areas.

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