Newmai News Network
Imphal: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has sought a relief package of Rs 200 crore from the Centre for the people affected by the recent violent hailstorms, while insisting on declaring it a national disaster.
The violent hailstorm, accompanied by strong winds, lashed Manipur on May 5, ravaging over 15,400 houses and causing extensive damage to seasonal crops and vegetables across the state.
Also read | Gunmen Loot Money from Naga Home in Kanglatongbi: Namdilong Village Authority Demands Swift Justice
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Keisham Meghachandra, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, requested the latter to declare the “unprecedented natural disaster occurred in Manipur in the form of hailstorm with strong wind in extreme weather conditions in different parts of Manipur on May 5 as a national disaster and grant immediate relief of a minimum of Rs 200 crore for the affected people of the state in a time-bound manner”.
Meghachandra highlighted the severity of the situation, emphasizing that such a calamity of this scale has never been witnessed in Manipur’s history.
Also read | Assam Rifles in Tripura Hosts Closing Ceremony for ‘Sentinel Care’ Project in Collaboration with NIEDO
He stressed the urgent need for immediate action to address the plight of the affected people.
The MPCC president also urged the Prime Minister to swiftly declare the hailstorm disaster as a national disaster, underscoring the necessity for central government assistance.
Earlier, the MPCC president along with leaders of the party had visited some houses in Imphal West district affected by the recent hailstorm.
After gathering ground zero information, the MPCC president asked the reason behind the delay on the part of the Manipur government in declaring the recent calamity as a national disaster.
He said that the state government must declare the natural disaster in the state as a national disaster and seek a relief package from the Centre.
He said that the recent natural disaster has severely affected the people of the state. The government assessment report also showed affecting over 15,400 houses.
Besides the dwelling houses, the calamity had also caused extensive damages to the seasonal standing crops and vegetables and livestock.
Also read | Japanese Ambassador Commemorates Nagaland’s WWII Sacrifice at Kohima Peace Memorial Inauguration
The state government announced a relief package of Rs 6.90 crore from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for people affected by the hailstorm with Rs 50 lakh each for six valley districts and Rs 40 lakh each for eight affected hill districts through the concerned district administrations, on May 7.
Compared to the number of houses damaged, the amount sanctioned by the state government is very meager, the MPCC leader observed, and asked the reason behind the state government for not seeking assistance from the Central government.
This is not a Ukhrul Times publication. UT is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any reports or views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times.