Gujarat government seeks Rs 1,725-cr for scarcity relief work

The Gujarat government has demanded Rs 1,725 crore from the Centre for relief works in scarcity-hit areas. The government has declared a total of 51 talukas as scarcity-hit and different relief work has started. The government will need Rs 2,900 crore to meet expenditure after relief.

A nine-member team from the Centre, led by joint secretary in agriculture ministry, was in Gujarat to hold meetings with state government officials. Chief Secretary JN Singh also met the team and discussed various issues. 

Revenue Secretary Pankaj Kumar said, “The Gujarat government has sought Rs 1,725 crore from the Centre. We have total estimates of Rs 2,900 crore, and against that, we will utilise Rs 1,175 crore from the state disaster relief fund.”