Hyderabad|India|November'2009: The Chief Minister K Rosaiah will be leaving for Delhi on Friday (6-11-2009) evening to seek further Central Assistance for drought and flood relief. This is a follow up of the State’s memorandum to the Government of India on the Central assistance required for drought and flood relief.

The Chief Minister will go to Delhi to apprise the Government of India and is likely to call on UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and other Central ministers about the drought and flood relief operations and the need for further Central assistance. The Central team on flood already toured the flood-hit areas in the State and the Central team on drought is now touring the drought-affected areas.

The State Government has already submitted a report with the total loss/damage due to the recent floods estimated at Rs.12,824.70 Crores. The other requests are: sanction of 1.00 lakh additional units under Indira Awass Yojana (IAY), sanction of Rs.500.00 crores under Central Road Fund and Rs.300.00 crores as advance for next year entitlement, Rs.1500.00 crores under AIBP for Irrigation, Rs.52.00 crores as additionality under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Gadwal Handloom cluster to be taken up under comprehensive handloom cluster development scheme, special requests include a fishermen package similar to the package given to Tsunami affected fishermen and extension of subsidised interest rate (3%) scheme to the converted crop loans and charging of interests on par with the one charged to short term loans.

The State Government has already requested for Rs.9053.19 crores under National Calamity Contingency Fund as drought relief. The State Government has so far sanctioned an amount of Rs.556.96 crores pending receipt of grant from NCCF. The other requests are, to extend subsidized interest rate (3%) to the rescheduled crop loans and charging of interest on par with the one charged to the short term loans, and to release an amount of Rs.68.00 crores as on additionally either under RKVY funds or any other Central Sector.

Reachout's News Bureau
November' 2009