Additional aid to northeastern states, HP, U'khand

Finance minister P Chidambaram on Monday announced additional central assistance to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore to Himachal Pradesh, flood-hit Uttarakhand and the northeastern states. Government accepts 'one rank, one pension' for defence forces

Finance minister P Chidambaram on Monday announced additional central assistance to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore to Himachal Pradesh, flood-hit Uttarakhand and the northeastern states.

"The northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand deserve special attention. In addition to funds allocated in the current year, I propose to release a sum of Rs 1,200 crore as additional central assistance to these states before the end of the year," Chidambaram said in his interim budget in the Lok Sabha.

Parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh were affected due to floods last year.

Unprecedented flash floods and landslides hit Uttarakhand in June 2013, causing havoc, leaving thousands of residents and tourists dead and thousands homeless. At the same time, heavy rain and snow claimed 23 lives in Himachal Pradesh and washed away roads, houses and thousands of acres of apple orchards.