Central team to assess AP cyclone damage : PM
Saturday, November 04, 2006 12:01 [IST]
New Delhi : Coming to the rescue of Andhra Pradesh which has been battered by heavy rains and floods for the fourth time this year, the Centre today assured that a its team would soon visit the state to assess the damage and that relief would be provided.
This assurance was given by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to state Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy when he called on him here, Prime Minister's Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru said.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with Singh, Reddy said he apprised the Prime Minister of the damage caused by the cyclone and sought immediate relief from the Centre.
"I told him (Singh) that five coastal districts were severely affected by the cyclone and floods. More than 93 lakh people have been evacuated. 28 lives have been lost. 35,812 houses have been fully or partially damaged. The water has inundated 2.90 lakh hectares," he said.
He said he urged the PM to declare the tragedy as a National Calamity and sanction immediate financial assistance under NCCF as funds under Calamity Relief Fund of the state have already been exhausted.
Reddy said he also asked the Prime Minister to expeditiously announce a suitable package of incentives to attract Fab Manufacturing Units to India which is awaiting the approval of the Union Cabinet.
It is feared that the "delay" by Centre in announcing the package for Fab Units that manufacture semi-conductors might force the big companies in the sector to divert their investments to other countries, he said. "I urged the PM to intervene in the matter." The state government has announced to set up a mega Fab-City near Hyderabad.
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