An inter-ministerial Central team is arriving in Telangana today to assess the recent flood damage. The team headed by National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) advisor Kunal Satyarthi comprises experts from Agriculture, Finance, Jal Shakti, Power and Roads & Buildings ministries. The team would learn about the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken by the state government.
The central team would then decide whether to announce the flood damage as a natural calamity. It would decide if the state government deserved central funding and make recommendations for the purpose. Meanwhile, the state government doubts the words and intentions of BJP headed government at the centre. It never proved its promises in deed and always denied the due share of funds to the state. PM Modi has been calling the Chief Ministers of flood-affected states but the same gesture was not extended to the Telangana state. He remained unconcerned at the vast devastation and loss of life in Telangana state.
Telangana state suffered damage to an extent of Rs. 5,000 crore in 2020 due to rains. In the last two years, the damage due to rains is estimated at Rs. 8,851 crore. However, the Central government which released Rs. 44,219 crore under the natural calamity relief fund exhibited apathy towards Telangana state. It did not give a single rupee to the state.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao without waiting for a helping hand from the centre has released Rs. 650 crore towards compensation to flood victims in 2020. He also announced Rs. 10,000 per acre compensation to rain-hit farmers last year and released Rs. 455 crore for the purpose. The state government is waiting for the central team hoping it would make a genuine estimate of the flood damage and recommend a centre for enough funds.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao