Shekhawat visits flood-hit Barmer, asks compensation for victims

Barmer/New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today said every effort must be made to compensate the flood victims of the desert districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer and asked voluntary organisations to come forward to complement the efforts of the government in facing natural disasters in the country.

The Vice-President, who is on a two day visit to the flood-affected areas of Rajasthan, distributed flood relief to the victims in Barmer district from an NGO in Malwa and Kavas villages.

He urged the local authorities to get the help of experts to drain out water from areas submerged in the floods. Efforts are being made by the Centre and state government to provide assistance to the flood victims, he added.

According to the state authorities, it would take two months to drain the flood water out of the submerged villages where houses and schools are still under water.

A large part of Barmer district is still submerged while border roads and others have been badly damaged. Repair and restoration of roads should be given ''top priority'', he said.

Mr Shekhawat also visited the artificial lakes created due to the flood and met the people who have been temporarily housed on the banks of the lakes, an official release said in New Delhi.

The Vice-President also met Wing Commander R Ranwa, who saved the lives of 66 people by extending help in the town that prevented them from drowning in the flood waters.

He was accompanied by former foreign minister Jaswant Singh, MP Manavendra Singh, Rajasthan Health minister Dr Digamber Singh among others.

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