Maha seeks Rs1,171 crore from Centre towards Phyan relief: Rane

Maharashtra government has sought financial assistance of around Rs1,170 crore from the Centre towards relief for Phyan affected victims, state revenue minister Narayan Rane told the state legislative assembly today.

Not satisfied with the minister's reply, Sena-BJP-led opposition staged a walkout at the fag end of the reply.

Winding up the two-day discussion on a motion moved by Gopaldas Agarwal (Congress) and others on Phyan cyclone which had hit the coastal region between November 11 and 13, Rane told the lower house that State government was fully aware of the situation and extent of damage.

To meet the extensive damage caused to standing crops, fishing, horticulture, properties and loss of human lives, for which an interim relief of Rs65 crore was released by the state government, Rane said.

State had approached the Centre to seek Rs1171 crore and and financial assistance is expected to reach shortly and state authorities will augment the assistance, he said.

About 8.24 lakh hectares of areas in 28 districts of Maharashtra have been affected due to cyclonic storms, he said.

About 34 fishermen-khalasi (labourers) were still missing after the cyclone and concerned authorities were still searching them, Rane said.