GOVT PEGS FLOOD DAMAGES AT RS 530 CR

Lily

B.R
Staff member
Chandigarh August 22:
With nearly 64 villages completely marooned even today, the state government has estimated the damage due to floods at over Rs 530 crore. This includes damage to crops, roads and houses.
The figures do not include the extent of damage caused in Ropar district, for which the losses were being ascertained, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Promilla Dubey said today. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said he was scheduled to meet both the Agriculture and Home ministers in New Delhi tomorrow to discuss compensation. About 500 villages in the state, maximum in Jalandhar (183) and Ferozepur (138), have faced flood fury, a report prepared by the government said.
The CM, who announced that a decision to put off collection of power bills in the areas has been taken, said tentatively over 70,000 acres of land has been inundated and 2,400 houses damaged in floods.
Dubey said the maximum damage of Rs 210 crore has been reported in Jalandhar followed by Rs 125 crore in Ferozepur. Meanwhile, Badal discounted allegations that the relief and rescue task was delayed and preventive measures could have saved the situation. The CM lamented that the amount of cash at the disposal of the state was restricted owing to norms of the Centre. He said Rs 22 crore have been released from the relief fund, Rs 6 crore was pending and another Rs 10 crore would be released shortly.
 
Top