CM Revanth Reddy announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for flood victims

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced comprehensive relief measures for flood-affected families, including Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for the deceased, Rs 15,000 for submerged households, and Indiramma housing for the worst-hit.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the bereaved families of the victims, who who lost their lives in the floods, Rs 15,000 each to the families whose houses were submerged and also sanctioned Indiramma houses to the most affected families along with special assistance to those who lost their livestock and standing crops.

The Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of the flood ravaged areas in erstwhile Warangal and Husnabad Assembly constituencies on Friday. Later he held a review meeting with officials. He told the officials that cloudbursts were going to be a regular challenge and temporary relief measures would not suffice. There were floods last year and this year as well and there have been climate changes after Covid-19 pandemic.

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He directed the officials to cancel the leave of staff for the next 10 to 15 days to get the damage assessment reports done and warned them that any negligence in this regard would not be tolerated. District Collectors should also conduct field visits, he stressed.

“You (Collectors) might think that at the most the government can transfer but everything will be monitored and mentioned in your annual reports. How many schools were inspected and how many grievances were addressed in disaster management will be assessed,” Revanth Reddy warned.

He pointed out that the government policy has now changed. All possible measures should be initiated to get maximum funds from the Central government. Any negligence on officials’ part in preparing the damage assessment reports to get funds from the central government, would not be tolerated, the Chief Minister said.

He was of the view that there was no coordination between municipal and irrigation departments in Warangal. He said the State government would lay special focus on Warangal and allocate budget accordingly.

After executing a few works under the Smart City programme, the remaining works should be taken up using State government funds. Works should not be left incomplete due to lack of funds, he stressed.

He asked the officials to identify nala encroachments and clear them to facilitate free flow of rainwater. Since the rains have receded, focus should be on taking up sanitation works and clearing the trash accumulated in different areas.

The government has already issued orders for extending Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the deceased. The police department should register FIRs for those who died in the floods as it is required for extending compensation. There should not be any procedural lapses, he said.