Rs 100 cr flood damages in Assam so far

GUWAHATI, July 29: The damages caused by floods in Assam so far this year has been estimated to be to the tune of Rs 100 cr, according to the state minister for revenue, Zoii Nath Sarma. He, however, said that it was only a rough preliminary estimate and the actual damages can be ascertained only when the floodwaters recede. The minister said the calamity relief fund for the state for the current financial year has been fixed at Rs 52 cr. The central government will bear Rs 40 cr, while the balance will have to be borne by the state government. He said the Centre has so far released only Rs 13 cr as the first instalment of the fund. During his last visit to the state, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had announced that the Centre was ready to release its share of the calamity relief fund in one instalment. Sarma said last year the state was hit by the worst-ever floods and the total damages were estimated to be about Rs 1300 cr.