Flood-hit Kerala seeks central assistance of Rs 4,700 crore

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 13

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The Kerala Government has sent a memorandum to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking central assistance of Rs 4,700 crore to compensate for damage caused by recent floods in the state.

As many as 488 people are reported to have been killed in the floods as 14 districts of the state were affected by the floods, which have been termed the worst in the country this monsoon.

A senior MHA official said the Kerala Government has sent a memorandum giving details of the damages caused by the floods in terms of human lives, properties, infrastructure and crops.

“The state has sought a help of Rs 4,700 crore as compensation from the Centre,” said a senior official.   

In case of any natural calamity beyond the coping capacity of a state, the state government submits a detailed memorandum indicating sector-wise details of damage and requirement of funds for relief operations of immediate nature and accordingly, the Kerala Government has sent the memorandum, the official said.

As per the existing guidelines, the Central Government will soon send an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) for on-the-spot assessment of damage.

Its report will then be considered by the Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC) headed by the Union home secretary in conformity with the norms and then by a high-level committee, chaired by the Union home minister for approving the quantum of money and also additional assistance from the NDRF, if required.

The financial mechanism to meet the rescue and relief expenditure during any notified disaster event is governed by guidelines on State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), the officials said.

According to the guidelines, the Centre provides its allocation to SDRF of each state in advance in two instalments. In case of any natural calamity, the state meets the expenditure of relief and rescue from the SDRF already available at its disposal.