Centre grants Rs 478.27 to rehabilitate Cyclone Aila victims in West Bengal

New Delhi, July 7 (ANI): Centre has approved a package of 478.27 crore rupees from the National Calamity Contingency Fund for rehabilitation of Aila cyclone victims in West Bengal.

Referring to the West Bengal's demand of 520 crore rupees for the development of housing and road sectors, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said in Lok Sabha that a high level committee has considered the matter and decided to defer a decision for want of area-wise details from the state.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj assailed the government by saying that it sought return of funds sent for calamity relief in Bihar and Orissa.

Chidambram denied the charge by saying, "this is not the practice of UPA government."

On this, JD(U) and BJD members stood up from their seats, saying that the Centre had written letters to these states seeking return of the money.

Repeated attempts by Speaker Meira Kumar failed to pacify the members, and the House had to be adjourned for 15 minutes.

On the issue of strengthening of embankments along Sundarbans in West Bengal as a permanent solution, the Minister said this is a massive and long term project which would be looked into only after talking to the state government. (ANI)