New Delhi, Sept 30 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today met Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of the extent of damage in the State caused by floods during the Monsoon season.
He also demanded additional funds for the state for disaster relief and restoration, a Home Ministry statement said.
During the meeting the Chief Minister was apprised that in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), Punjab has sufficient funds to the tune of Rs 12,589.59 crore, which can be utilised for the relief and immediate restoration to the affected people as per Government of India norms.
The Home Minister said the Central Government has provided all possible assistance from central agencies to the state administration, in search, rescue and immediate restoration during the recent floods in the State.
Shah said Modi government is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Punjab and is committed to providing all possible help to flood affected people of the state.
On September 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Punjab and reviewed the flood situation and damages caused in state. Out of the financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore announced by the Prime Minister, Rs 805 crore (including Rs 170 crore under sanction by NHAI) has already been released to the State Government and intended beneficiaries under various schemes. The rest will be released on receipt of relevant information from the State.
An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) was constituted on September one without waiting for the receipt of memorandum from the State of Punjab. The team visited the affected areas for an on-the-spot assessment of damages in the State from September 3-6. However, the State Government is yet to submit a detailed memorandum. After receipt of the memorandum, the same will be considered by the Central Government as per the Government of India approved norms.
Besides this, the state can prepare a recovery and reconstruction plan for restoration of livelihood and damaged infrastructure.
