Flood crisis: Centre blames State governments over unutilized relief funds
Nearly 600 people have died in floods or landslides across the country in 2017. Denying biasness in offering financial assistance to any particular state, the Centre said state governments weren't making proper utilization of the funds meant for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims. The government made this statement after Opposition criticized PM Modi's decision to give Rs. 500 crore to Gujarat flood victims.
As per the reports, 24,811 cattle heads have perished, 63,215 houses are damaged and at least 2.8 lakh hectare of crops have been affected due to heavy rains, floods and landslides.
As per Central Government sources, leaders of the flood-affected states have sought for more funds but are yet to use the relief package they already have. Quoting figures, a source said that Assam has over Rs. 500 crore which hasn't been used and it has sought for another Rs. 3000 crore as interim relief. Similarly, Odisha has Rs. 824 crore which has been unused.
Torrential rains have led to a deluge in parts of Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan and West Bengal and triggered fresh landslides in Himachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, the flood situation in Assam remained grim.
Countering Opposition MP Ripun Bora's attack on Centre and PM Modi, Union MoS for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said that each state hasn't entirely used the amount provided under SDRF and NDRF. Rijiju said that Centre couldn't be biased just because it gave what was due in Gujarat. He added that response to floods in Assam, Gujarat has been the "quickest ever possible".
As the flood-like situation grew grim in Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee accused the central government and the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for the floods in Bengal districts thereby calling them to be "man-made". She said that over two lakh cusecs of water was released by DVC. Banerjee further asked the Centre to begin dredging at places like Farraka barrage to prevent flooding every year.
Torrential rains and floods across India have displaced more than 25,000 people in the past three weeks. While efforts are being made to provide rehabilitation to the victims, states like Assam have launched a massive clean-up exercise to prevent the outbreak of diseases. Meanwhile, state governments are also trying to provide financial assistance to the farmers.
