E-Paper
Relief announced even before death
AFTER UNEMPLOYMENT allowance and Kanya Vidya Dhan, it seems the State Government wants to rain cash on flood victims and even those yet to die in floods. ?I have ordered Rs 50,000 as relief for flood victims,? Revenue Minister Ambika Chaudhary told reporters after reviewing administrative preparedness in the wake of floods in different parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
AFTER UNEMPLOYMENT allowance and Kanya Vidya Dhan, it seems the State Government wants to rain cash on flood victims and even those yet to die in floods.
“I have ordered Rs 50,000 as relief for flood victims,” Revenue Minister Ambika Chaudhary told reporters after reviewing administrative preparedness in the wake of floods in different parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
“Even (the kin of ) those who die while performing flood related jobs will receive Rs 50,000, as their deaths will also be treated as ‘death due to floods”.
However, he was quick to add there was no question of UP being affected by floods even though Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh had released 11 lakh cusecs (6 lakh by Rajasthan and 5 lakh by Madhya Pradesh) of water in rivers passing through Uttar Pradesh. Chaudhary said this water had reached Hamirpura and was on way to Allahabad, where the government apprehendd a slight effect in the low-lying areas.
“We have kept ready everything (boats, flood wing of PAC jawans etc etc) even before floods sweep our State,” the minister said.
The revenue minister chaired a meeting of divisional commissioners of Allahabad, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Azamgarh and Basti divisions, including the Ballia district magistrate, besides several other officers of the irrigation and other agencies to review preparedness for floods.
With elections round the corner and the ruling coalition tottering on the brink of collapse, sources believe the ruling Samajwadi Party seems more concerned at the announcement of cash doles for those yet to die.
