CM urges Rs 500 crore to Centre under CRF

Hyderabad , Nov 10 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today urged the Centre for immediate release of Rs 500 crore under the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) to carry out restoration and repairs at flood affected areas in three districts. Explaining the inter-ministerial team which visited the Ogni cyclone-affected areas in Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts at the camp office, the Chief Minister said the state was in dire need of Central assistance in the form of substantial funds.

He said the state government required Rs 1,262.73 crore for temporary restoration apart from Rs 5,000 crore needed for modernising Krishna-Godavari delta. This was based on preliminary assessment of damage.

The Chief Minister urged the Central team for special recommendation for modernisation of drains and canals of the Krishna-Godavari delta at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore, funds for construction of houses for the damaged houses under IAY scheme and funds for strengthening of river bunds of Godavari, Vamsadhara and Nagavali.

The inter-ministerial team of Government of India led by Joint Secretary of Home Affairs Vipin Saxena while briefing Dr Reddy about their impressions of the flood damage said that it was ''very extensive'' and worst affected were farmers and weavers.

However, the team appreciated the relief works undertaken by the state administrative machinery and the district officials.

The state government evacuated 2.7 lakh persons. The death toll was 38, an official release said here.

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