New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for cyclone-hit West Bengal on Friday. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has told ANI that Modi did not clarify as to whether this is an advance amount or if it will come in the form of a package.
In a video message after reviewing the situation with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district, Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each of those killed during the devastation caused by cyclone Amphan, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Speaking on the situation in the wake of Cyclone Amphan. https://t.co/asWXOfFwff
Advertisement— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2020
At least 77 people have been reported killed so far in the state due to the extremely severe cyclone.
Large-scale damage to infrastructure, public and private property has been reported from North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly districts.
Also read: After Cyclone Amphan Wreaked Havoc, Bengali Migrants in Mumbai Struggle to Return Home
“I announce an advance interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for the state. A detailed survey will be conducted of the damage to agriculture, power and other sectors, besides damage to houses,” he said.
“In this time of distress and despair, the entire country and the Centre are with the people of Bengal,” he said.
Banerjee had said on Friday said that West Bengal has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore due to cyclone Amphan that has devastated the state.
Modi’s decision to travel to Bengal came within hours of his belated tweet on the devastation caused by the cyclone.
(With PTI inputs)
