Maharashtra government likely to seek Rs 3000 crore from Centre

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is likely to seek financial assistance of close to three thousand crores from the Centre for the relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected people.

A senior official said that chief secretary Ajoy Mehta held a meeting with officials from the revenue, relief and rehabilitation, and other departments on Monday and discussed monetary assistance from the central government.

“Mr Mehta has asked all departments to submit their reports relating to financial losses and damages to buildings due to the floods,” said the senior official familiar with the developments in Mantralaya.

While the final amount for a financial assistance is yet to be fixed, sources in Mantralaya claimed that the proposal might be close to Rs 3000 crore, after taking into account the losses and property damages.

A government official said that all departments are expected to submit their report by 7 am on Tuesday. Once the relief and rehabilitation department receives all the reports, it is likely to prepare a proposal for financial assistance from the Central government.

“The proposal of financial assistance would be tabled before the Cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday for its approval,” the official added. The finalised proposal would be sent to Union government this week.

70 talukas of Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Thane, Nasik, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Sindhudurg districts of the state have been badly affected by the worst flood of the decade.

Officials said that 761 villages have submerged owing to the unprecedented floods. The relief and rescue operations are being carried out on massive scale across Western Maharashtra — the worst affected region in the state.