Goa’s Demand of 130 crore will be considered by High Level Committee

Upon receipt of a memorandum from the Government of Goa, seeking financial assistance of Rs.130.56 crore for floods of October 2009, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team visited the affected areas for an on-the-spot assessment on 15th-17th October, 2009 and that the report of the Central Team is to be first placed before the Inter-Ministerial Group and thereafter High Level Committee [HLC] for approval of assistance from NCCF, Minister for State for Home Affairs Shri Mullapally Ramchandran informed Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. in the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply.

Minister further informed Mr Naik that The Canacona Flash Floods Study Committee constituted by Goa Government has inferred that the flash floods in Canacona were directly related to about 271 mm of precipitation that fell between approximately 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. on 2nd October, 2009.

Minister also informed Mr Naik that there were indirect causes also that set the stage for the flash floods which include high amount of moisture, river channel full of water and location of catchment areas of rivers on mountain slopes.

According to the information received from the State Government, 03 human lives were lost and 265 cattle heads perished besides damage to 3400 hectares cropped area and 1053 houses, Minister said.

The State of Goa has been allocated an amount of Rs.2.56 crore in the Calamity Relief Fund [CRF] account for the year 2009-10, comprising Rs.1.92 crore as Central contribution and Rs.0.64 crore as State contribution. Entire Central share of Rs.1.92 crore has already been released.

In addition, Minister informed Mr Naik, an amount of Rs.4.04 crore has also been released from National Calamity Contingency Fund [NCCF] on an ‘on account’ basis, pending the processing of the memorandum of the State Government on floods of October 2009.

Minister added that Financial assistance in the wake of natural calamities is towards relief and not for compensation of loss.

1498 FREEDOM FIGHTER PENSION CASES DISPOSED AS ON 31/10/09 38 PENDING

Union Minister of State Shri Ajay Makhan informed Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. in the Rajya Sabha, today in a written reply that as on 31.10.2009, 1498 freedom fighters have been sanctioned ‘Central freedom fighter’ Pension in the State of Goa.

He also informed Mr Naik that as on 31.10.2009, 38 claims of freedom fighters from State of Goa are pending with the ministry.

The reasons for pendency intealia include non-submission of requisite evidentiary documents/clarifications by the applicants as also the verification report by the State Government, Minister said.

Receipt of cases, their examination and disposal is a continuous process and therefore no time-frame can be indicated for the disposal of remaining cases, minister informed Mr Naik.