Funds no constraint for flood-hit states: Chidambaram

The Centre today assured flood-ravaged Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh that funds will not be a constraint for relief and rehabilitation and asked them to focus on providing succour to the affected people.

The Centre today assured flood-ravaged Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh that funds will not be a constraint for relief and rehabilitation and asked them to focus on providing succour to the affected people.

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Home Minister P Chidambaram, who visited the flood-hit areas of the two southern states, said the state governments may utilise the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) immediately and once 75 per cent of CRF is exhausted, the states may draw on the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF).

"Advances from NCCF will be provided. As soon as the state government concerned is ready to receive the Central team, a team will be sent to the state to assess the damage according to well established norm," he said in a statement.

"I wish to assure the state governments that availability of funds will not be a constraint and that they should focus on providing relief to the affected people," he said.

The measures have been taken after consultation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Chidambaram said further measures would be considered on the return of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee from his trip abroad tomorrow. "We have advised these interim measures in order that rescue and relief operations should continue without hindrance," he said.