Central assistance for Rajasthan to tackle drought

The Centre has released Rs 889.61 crore besides free foodgrains and cattlefeed for Rajasthan, which is facing the worst drought in several years.

The Centre has released Rs 889.61 crore besides free foodgrains and cattlefeed for Rajasthan, which is facing the worst drought in several years.

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The government released Rs 789.78 crore from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) that included Rs 171.16 crore of the central share in Calamity Relief Fund (CRF), an official release said here today.

The Centre had also made advance release of 25 per cent of its share of CRF for 2003-04 amounting to Rs 44.93 crores, it said.

A total of 31.10 lakh tonnes of foodgrains had been allotted to Rajasthan free of cost under special component of Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojna for employing drought-hit people on relief works.

The railways were also transporting water and fodder to notified drought affected areas in the state, the release added.