Damages incurred in floods, landslides Centre to forward Rs 8.5 cr
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 06 2015: Taking note of the huge losses incurred during the recent floods and landslides in different parts of the State, the Centre has decided to extend Rs 8.5 core as relief to the State as well as depute an inter-Ministerial team to take stock of the situation.

Prior to announcing the aid package, Union MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju and DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra yesterday visited the flood ravaged places at Thoubal and Chandel along with State Education Minister M Okendro on a helicopter.

Speaking to newsmen after the tour at the Tulihal airport, Kiren Rijiju said that they arrived at Imphal to get a first hand account of the losses due the floods and the landslides.

Rijiju added that they were here on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Union Minister also took grim note of the extensive damages caused to roads and bridges, telecom and the flooding of vast tracts of agricultural lands.

The Centre had last month released a sum of Rs 8.5 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund, but since this amount would not be enough to make up for the losses, another Rs 8.5 crore will be released as immediate relief, announced Rijiju.

The Centre needs to assess the losses and damages caused by the floods and the landslides, said Rijiju and added that the State Government should submit a report detailing the destruction and losses.

The Union Home Ministry can then lead an inter-Ministerial team to assess the situation, he added.

Chief Minister O Ibobi has been asked to submit the reports so that the Centre can do the needful and accordingly release the needed fund, said Rijiju.

Of the 28 odd lakh people of Manipur, the recent flood has affected 60 pc of the population, said Dr Jitendra.

The rescue work is nearing completion and now is the time for relief and rehabilitation, he observed.

Dr Jitendra further said that the Prime Minister will be asked to lay the foundation stone of the National Sports University as the land acquisition process by the State Government has been finalised.

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