Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday announced Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) in Central aid for Karnataka after undertaking an aerial survey of the flood-hit northern districts. The aid comes a day after he announced a similar package for Andhra Pradesh.
The PM also announced ex gratia payment of Rs 100,000 each to the families of those who have died in the floods. Till now, 226 people have been reported dead in the state.
Not long after the PM’s announcement, Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, accompanied the PM in the aerial survey, sought early release of an additional Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion) for his state. Yeddyurappa also announced his government’s decision to relocate 219 villages that have been perennially prone to floods.
BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu raised the pitch by demanding at least Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion) for Karnataka. Naidu himself pledged Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) fund from his MPs Local Area Development fund for renovation of damaged schools.
Meanwhile, Singh has assured the Andhra Pradesh government of extending additional financial assistance, beyond Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) already announced, through various Central schemes for taking up large-scale rehabilitation in the aftermath of the massive floods that hit five districts of the state.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, Singh has assured the Andhra Pradesh government of extending additional financial assistance, beyond Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) already announced, through various Central schemes for taking up large-scale rehabilitation in the aftermath of the massive floods that hit five districts of the state.
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