We assure all-round support to all states, says Kiren Rijiju

New Delhi: Government has assured all round support to states hit by floods and will soon send a team of officials to assess the damage in Kerala. The quantum of relief will be decided once evaluation of the situation is completed, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Intervening in a discussion on flood and drought situation in the country, Mr Rijiju said the Centre would not discriminate against any state while providing funds to deal with these natural calamities.

“No state has been discriminated for funds and Rs 80 crore has already been released to Kerala to meet the immediate requirements. We have constituted an inter-ministerial team. They will visit Kerala soon and they will assess the quantum of damage and the high-level committee under the Home Minister will look into their report and decide on the quantum of assistance,” he said.

Observing that disaster management was a priority for the government, he assured members that the Centre would provide all support to Kerala to deal with the flood devastation. Responding to allegations of some members on non-release of funds, he said rs 224 crore was released to West Bengal, Rs 294 crore to Tamil Nadu and Rs 120 crore to Karnataka.

Several members of the Lok Sabha from Kerala including K Venugopal, Suresh K. and N.K. Premchandran demanded special financial package for the state to deal with the situation arising from the heavy rains and flooding in states.