Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SR)

Panaji, Aug 31: The state government has sought Rs 170 crore from the central government to pay compensation to people who have been affected by floods that caused large scale devastation in many parts of Goa.

As per CM Pramod Sawant, the total loss, including damage to property and crop losses, due to the floods in the first two weeks of August was estimated at around Rs 157 crore. As reported in India Today, Sawant told reporters on Friday, "We have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking assistance of Rs 170 crore. The process of release of funds by the union government takes time and it may take eight months for the money to arrive."

The CM said, "The state government has disbursed more than Rs 2.5 crore to farmers and others affected by the floods and the aid was provided from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and Disaster Management Fund. We have already distributed Rs 1.5 crore to those whose houses and other property were damaged. Today, we distributed Rs 1 crore to the farmers whose crops were damaged due to the floods. The aid covered over 800 flood-affected persons," Pramod Sawant added.