Rural development minister slams UPA government

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Oct 13: Rural development minister Mr Biswabhusan Harichandan today decried the apathetic attitude shown by the UPA government in extending assistance to flood affected districts of Orissa.
Talking to reporters after reviewing the repair and restoration work, Mr Harichandan said: “It is unfortunate that the Central government has not yet sent an official team to assess the damage caused by flood waters in 18 of the 30 districts in the state."
“Still worse is the fact that Union Home minister Mr Shivraj Patil’s declaration of Rs 500 crore assistance for relief work is yet to reach the state,” he remarked.
“Mr Patil had visited the flood affected areas on 23 September and declared an immediate assistance of Rs 500 crore but we are yet to receive the sum,” he alleged.
The minister said: “Damages caused to the roads, culverts and other rural infrastructure calls for expenditure of over Rs 420 crore. Over 1,300 breaches have taken place and 508 Prime Minister Gram Sarak Yojana roads damaged," while providing a detailed list of the damaged roads, culverts, and buildings under the rural development department.