Adequate relief for States, says PM

MUMBAI, OCT. 15. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said the State Governments would not face any serious handicap due to the abolition of the National Fund for Calamity Relief or non- constitution of the National Calamity Contingency Fund as they had been assured of adequate resources to tackle natural calamities.

In a letter addressed to the leader of the Opposition and Congress president, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, from the Breach Candy

hospital camp office, Mr. Vajpayee said, ``I hope you will agree with me that in view of the severity of drought that has been predicted in certain areas of the country due to uneven monsoon this year, the States have to act with a sense of urgency and seriousness to keep their relief administration machineries in readiness and mobilise non-Government sector/community-based organisations to supplement Government efforts.''

The Centre was closely monitoring the south-west monsoon. ``A group of secretaries, under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Planning Commission, has been constituted for this purpose,'' Mr. Vajpayee said, according to sources in the Prime Minister's Office. The States had been advised to prepare a contingency plan. While Gujarat had submitted a plan, other States had been asked to submit their plans at the earliest. Besides the Calamity Relief Fund, assistance was provided to the States by way of releases in advance instalments of Central plan assistance, share in Central taxes and other grants.

``The Finance Ministry has been instructed to supplement funds of the States whenever there is a calamity so that the relief work can continue without interruptions. I understand that the States affected by drought are not facing ways and means problems at present.'' As regards Chhattisgarh, it would have its CRF from the appointed day.

Mr. Vajpayee said it was also necessary to ensure that political, ideological and other differences did not come in the way of tackling the situation affecting millions of people.

Mrs. Gandhi, in a letter to the Prime Minister on October 12, had highlighted the need for Central intervention in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat to tackle the drought situation.

- UNI

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