Maharashtra seeks Rs 6,813 crore from Centre

Mumbai: The Devendra Fadnavis Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to seek Rs 6,813 crore in financial assistance from the Centre in light of the flood situation in Western Maharashtra and the Konkan. The state will send the proposal to the Central government shortly.

After the Cabinet meeting, Mr Fadnavis informed the media that Rs 4,708 crore had been sought for Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts while Rs 2,105 crore had been sought for the Konkan, Nashik district and other parts of the state. “Until we receive this amount, victims will receive aid via the State Disaster Relief Fund,” he said.

He also said that a Cabinet sub-committee — which will be tasked with ensuring that all decisions related to flooded areas and amendments to government resolutions are executed without delay — had been formed under his chairmanship.

The CM said that a committee of experts would also be appointed to study the phenomenon and offer suggestions to the government. The names of its members will be declared soon, he said.

Mr Fadnavis also thanked the Union government, Army, Navy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Air Force for helping with rescue operations and said the Centre had extended all the help that was requested.

He also said that Rs 168 crore had been earmarked for the water resources department and Rs 75 crore would be provided for health-related initiatives in flood-affected areas while Rs 125 crore would be set aside for the repair of schools and water supply schemes.

The Congress, meanwhile, reminded home minister Amit Shah that his in-laws live in flood-hit Kolhapur and he should, therefore, ensure that adequate funds are set aside for the district.

Maharashtra Congress president Balasaheb Thorat also took potshots at Mr Shah for “only doing an aerial inspection of the district”.