New Delhi: Centre on November 16 approved a Rs 2,250 crore calamity-relief package for 16 drought and flood-affected states based on the recommendations of an inter- ministerial group which assessed the disasters.

A high-level committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani approved assistance of Rs 1999.14 crore for 14 drought-affected states and Rs 237.02 crore for the flood-hit Assam and Bihar.

In its meeting, the committee decided that the funds will be released after taking into account the balances in the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) in the respective states.

Centre contributes 75 per cent of the CRF while the remaining 25 per cent comes from the states.

The package was approved based on the memoranda received from the states, report of the Central teams which visited these states, and the recommendations of the inter- ministerial group.

It was also decided that the drought position will be reviewed by the Agriculture Ministry in January 2003 to consider further assistance if required.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission K C Pant, Rural Development Minister Shanta Kumar, Food Minister Sharad Yadav and Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh.

PTI