MP seeks Rs 750 cr Central aid for flood relief

Bhopal, Aug 23: The Madhya Pradesh government has sought from the Centre additional assistance of Rs 750 crore to compensate extensive damage to property caused by heavy rains and floods in 22 districts in the past two months.

In a memorandum, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has sought the Centre's help for relief and rehabilitation of the affected and restoration of damaged property. The Centre has already provided immediate assistance of Rs 100 crore under the National Calamity Contingency Fund.

Devastating floods following heavy rains severely affected state capital Bhopal and more than 660 villages claiming a total of 93 lives. More than 8600 cattle perished and 65,673 houses damaged were fully or partially.

According to official sources, the memorandum was based on preliminary assessment of the damages to roads, bridges, buildings, health care facilities, irrigation systems, power supply infrastructure, water supply schemes, wells, handpumps and tubewells.

Flood water also badly affected soyabean and other Kharif crop and damaged irrigation dams and canals. Infrastructure of power distribution companies suffered damage.

The Central assistance would be used for payment of ex-gratia to next of kin of the dead, compensation for loss of cattle, houses and household goods, besides supply of foodgrains and kerosene to the affected.

UNI