Thursday, July 28 2005 22:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (July 28, 2005) announced a Rs 700-crore aid for relief and rehabilitation efforts in Maharashtra in wake of the damage caused due to heavy rains.

"In addition to the Rs 200 crore already announced from the National Contingency Fund and the National Calamity Fund, we are now releasing Rs 500 crore as special assistance," Singh told reporters here after conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas of Mumbai and neighbouring districts of Raigad and Thane.

Ten thousand tonnes of foodgrains will also be released over and above the special assistance, he said.

He said funds would not be a constraint in relief and rehabilitation efforts. The Prime Minister said the families of those killed due to this natural calamity would receive Rs one lakh each.

He said the loss of lives in the affected areas was "huge" and while the confirmed figures are yet to be arrived at, the death toll in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad was in the region of 300 to 500.

"There has been widespread loss to property and civic infrastructure as well. Private properties have suffered extensively and I sympathise with those who have been affected," Singh said.

He said the western part of Maharashtra had received unprecedented rainfall, a record in almost 100 years.

The Prime Minister said he would direct the surface transport department to restore national highways at the earliest.

The Prime Minister assured that the Central Government would stand by the State Government in its relief efforts. "Our armed forces have been doing their utmost by providing all possible assistance in rescue and relief operations," he said.

Manpower, boats, aircraft and helicopters have been placed at the disposal of the State Government. The Railways are working overtime to restore operations and the airport is functional," Singh said.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, Congress leaders Gurudas Kamat and Margaret Alva were also present at the press conference.