Maharashtra Govt Gives Rs 10,000 Cr Relief Package For Flood-Hit Areas | 5 Key Announcements

The announcement comes days after CM Thackeray said that his government is committed to restore normalcy in the lives of those hit by heavy rains and floods in the state as soon as possible.

Mumbai: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government on Friday announced a mega relief package of Rs 10,000 crore for farmers who were hit hard by the retreating monsoon and heavy rainfall in the state. The announcement comes days after CM Thackeray said that his government is committed to restore normalcy in the lives of those hit by heavy rains and floods in the state as soon as possible. While addressing the flood-hit people at Katgaon in Maharashtra's Osmanabad, Maharashtra Chief Minister had said that the state cabinet will meet soon to take a decision on the relief to be given to the affected people. However, Thackeray also pointed out that state government could have done a lot for the flood-hit people had the Centre given Maharashtra the states share of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is being said that the decision by Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government came after a cabinet meeting that was held on Thursday. As per reports, government has decided to distribute the amount before Diwali. Last week, heavy rains and floods claimed at least 48 lives in Pune, Aurangabad and Konkan divisions, while crops on lakhs of hectares were damaged. Here's look at top announcements made by Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government on the relief to be given to the affected people: 1. As per the announcement, those farmers who have faced losses in farming will be given Rs 10,000 per hectares. However, the government has imposed a cap of 2 hectares per person. 2. Those who faced losses in fruits farming will be given an aid of Rs 25,000 per hectare. Financial assistance will also be given to those who lost their lives and homes in the deadly flood. 3. A sum of Rs 2,635 has been allotted by the state government to repair the roads damaged during heavy rainfall and floods. The state government will also spend Rs 300 crore on city development works. 4. Rs 239 crore has been allotted to cover damages in energy section. A sum of Rs 102 crore has been allotted for irrigation works. 5. Rs 1,000 crore for rural roads and drinking water systems. The state has also allotted Rs 550 crore for damages in farms due to floods. According to latest estimates, standing crop on over 10 lakh hectares has been impacted due to heavy rain and consequent flooding in the state over the last few days. Farm areas in Solapur, Pune, Satara and Osmanabad have been worst affected. Still auto witness testimony is being conducted in several parts of the state. (With inputs from Raunak Kukde)