‘Hope Centre gives drought relief to Gujarat’

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha L.K. Advani on Sunday expressed hope that Centre would announce a drought relief package for Gujarat. ‘‘There is very less rainfall in the state. I hope that the relief package is announced at the earliest after the Central team — that visited the state to take stock of the situation — gives its detailed report,” he said.

Advani pointed out that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not mention the status of Gujarat in Parliament while talking about other drought-hit states of the country. ‘‘I am aware of the situation in Gujarat after meeting some members of the Central team on board a flight here on Friday,” he added. Faced with a serious threat of drought in the wake of below average rainfall, Gujarat government had on Saturday demanded a Rs 2328.54-crore relief package. During a meeting with a five-member Central team, the government demanded Rs 1712.28 crore for employment to generate 28 crore man-days work, Rs 322 crore each for drinking water, Rs 140 crore fodder and remaining amount for healthcare. — (PTI)