State asks 266 cr from Central govt for flood relief

State asks 266 cr from Central govt for flood relief

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 18, 2014: .Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has said that the estimated loss due to floods in the State, has been put at Rs 426 crore. Speaking to media persons he said that the State government would seek Rs 266 crore as the relief fund from the Central government and within two days a minister from State would meet the central ministers to submit the memorandum regarding the same.

The Minister said that 54,000 hectares of crop has been damaged because of heavy rains and an estimated loss of Rs 56 crore has been occurred. Without waiting to Central government fund, the State government has disbursed Rs 28 crores to flood affected districts for livestock and emergency repair. The Minister said that there was a fear of dip in agriculture production in this year, but normal rain from past one month has increased hopes.

“We would reach the average production of 110 to 130 lakh tonnes. More than the flood, draught has caused loss for us. In many parts of the state draught situation is continued, but meteorologists have forecasted of possible rain till this month end,” Krishna Byre Gowda said.