Modi Govt soft-pedalling on relief to flood-hit: Modhwadia

Gandhinagar, Sep 14 (UNI) The Rs 900 crore relief package announced by the Gujarat Government for the flood-hit is not sufficient and as the state government has no intention to allocate more funds, Union Government should come forward with the additional funds, Arjun Modhwadia, Leader of Opposition, Gujarat Legislative Assembly said here today.

In a statement here, Mr Modhwadia said that the flood damages amount to Rs 12,000 crore in various sectors like - industries, agriculture and infrastructure.

The Union Government has so far allocated Rs 1,100 crore through the Central Calamity Fund (CFR) and National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). The Centre should come forward with additional funds for Surat and other parts of Gujarat, Mr Modhwadia said.

He said that during his visit to New Delhi on September 13, he had represented before the Union Government and had urged relief for the flood affected.

A team of Union ministers, including Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy and Minister of State for Finance Pavankumar Bansal, is likely to visit Surat next week with reference to his representation.

Union Textile Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela has twice visited Surat after the floods, Mr Modhwadia said.

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