Mayawati demands Rs2,175 crore for flood relief work

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati today demanded an increased package of Rs2,175 from the Centre for carrying out flood relief operations in the state.

"The chief minister has written another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting him to immediately provide Rs2,175 crore for flood-hit districts in the state," an official spokesman said.

Mayawati has also demanded that a Central team be sent to assess losses due to floods in Uttar Pradesh, where 5,969 villages in 33 districts are affected.

Earlier, Mayawati had requested the Centre for Rs2000 crore after taking an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas.

After the survey, the chief minister had sent a letter to the prime minister requesting him to declare western UP as calamity-hit area and release Rs1000 crore in the first phase. Another Rs1000 was demanded for other districts of the state, the spokesman said.

Based on preliminary estimates, principal secretary (relief) has sent a memorandum for a financial aid of Rs2,175 crore to joint secretary, disaster management under home minister.

"Mayawati has said that actual assessment of flood can be made only after flood situation improves. A detailed memorandum for required fund can be sent after that," the spokesman said.

The floods have so far claimed 420 lives in the state. Crops sown on estimated 8.08 lakh hectares have been damaged due to floods, which has also affected infrastructure facilities, the letter stated.