The Maharashtra government will seek an assistance of ₹6,813 crore from the Centre for rebuilding flood-ravaged areas in Western Maharashtra and Konkan.
The Cabinet Sub Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday cleared a Memorandum of Assistance to be forwarded to the Government of India seeking interim relief, meanwhile agreeing to spend the amount from the State corpus till it is approved. Of the total amount, ₹4,708 crore has been set aside for rebuilding villages in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara and another ₹2,105 crore for Konkan, Nashik and the remaining districts. “We have also set up an expert committee to assess the impact of climate change and suggest actions and remedies to be taken in situations where we receive 700% rainfall in just four days, as has happened,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
Much of the money will be used to rebuild roads, homes and bridges, and make good the losses on account of crop damage, destruction of schools and commercial establishments. Among other measures, ₹2,088 crore is being sought on account of crop damage, ₹876 crore for repair of roads and bridges, and ₹300 crore for assistance to families of the deceased and injured. Among other damages highlighted in the State memorandum are ₹168 crore for irrigation and water resources works, and ₹300 crore towards loss of small trade.
Damage has been reported from 70 talukas of Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Thane, Nashik, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Sindhudurg. The floods left 761 villages marooned, and relief work is being conducted on a large scale in the State. “We will be reconstructing damaged homes under Central schemes. The damage assessment has accounted for relief material that has been provided in the form of food packages,” said Relief and Rehabilitation secretary, Kishor Nimbalkar. Maharashtra is the third State to have sought Central assistance to account for damage caused by the worst floods in decades in Southwest India. Karnataka and Kerala have both sought Central assistance of ₹3,000 crore each.
