Uddhav demands a PM-led panel for disaster management in states

The CM was speaking at a virtual meeting Modi held with six chief ministers to review flood situation

The Maharashtra government on Monday demanded setting up of a committee under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for tackling crisis situations in states and ensuring better coordination.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also sought immediate assistance from the Centre for Maharashtra in view of the June 3 Cyclone Nisarga, that caused widespread damage in coastal districts, and the August 5 downpour and heavy winds that battered Mumbai, a state government statement said here.

Thackeray was speaking at a virtual meeting Modi held with chief ministers of six states to review flood situation.

The states that attended the meeting to review their preparedness to deal with the south-west monsoon and current flood situation and heavy rains in the country were Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,

Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.

The PM noted there is a good coordination between the Centre and state governments during crisissituations and added his dispensation is with all states while facing calamities, the statement said.

On his part, Thackeray demanded setting up of a committee under the prime minister for tackling crisis situations and ensuring coordination with states,the statement said.

As he apprised the prime minister about the August 5 heavy rains in Mumbai, Thackeray said that the present inter- state flood management system is useful, but added the body should have the Centres representatives in it.

Thackeray said Maharashtra suffered more than Rs 1,065 crore losses due to Cyclone Nisarga and the August 5 rainfall caused Rs 500 crore damage in Mumbai as he demanded the prime minister to announce immediate assistance to the state.