7 states to get Rs. 2,893 crore relief fund

The Centre on Wednesday took a decision to release a relief package worth over Rs. 2,892 crore for seven states, including Maharashtra, to help them tackle the impact of drought, floods and landslides faced last year.

The Centre on Wednesday took a decision to release a relief package worth over Rs. 2,892 crore for seven states, including Maharashtra, to help them tackle the impact of drought, floods and landslides faced last year.

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The decision was taken at the meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought, headed by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.

Pawar said, “There were a number of proposals from various states demanding central assistance to address drought situation, floods and landslides in 2012. We have approved the relief package, which is highest in the recent years.”

The relief package, to be released under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), will be implemented from March 1, 2013, Pawar added. He said the EGoM had taken additional measures to help farmers of Maharashtra.