Guj toll touches 80, ` 4 lakh ex gratia for kin
AHMEDABAD: The death toll due to heavy rains and floods in Gujarat increased to 80 even as waters receded in most parts of the state and there was no downpour in the last 24 hours. Amreli district in Saurashtra has been the worst hit region, with more than 30 people dead. Torrential rains on Wednesday washed out roads, farms, railway tracks, bridges and electricity poles.
“The government has decided to give compensation of ` 4 lakh each to families of the deceased. In addition, we have also decided to give cash doles for the next 10 days to people in affected areas,” Gujarat health minister and spokesperson of the government Nitin Patel said.
“We have asked authorities of the affected districts to carry out surveys to determine the loss. We will provide financial aid to those who have lost crops, livestock, houses and other properties, as per government norms,” he said.
“People in Amreli and those elsewhere have suffered huge damages as farms have been washed out and houses damaged. The state government must announce a special package and also enhance compensation to `5 lakh,” said Gujarat Congress leader Nishit Vyas.
“The state gover nment machinery is working only on papers. Over 300 villages of Amreli district still have no electricity,” said Amreli Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani.
A delegation of Gujarat Congress leaders met state chief secretary GR Aloria to demand a special package for those affected by the floods. “The relief operation is underway in all the affected areas, and water has also retreated with no rains,” said a senior government official involved in relief operations.