The Uttarakhand government today demanded a Rs 13,000 crore-package from the Centre for relocating over 300 villages of the state vulnerable to natural disasters.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat made the demand at a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
He cited the findings of a survey conducted jointly by the Geological Survey of India and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology which had declared 352 villages as unsafe, saying they were vulnerable to natural calamities.
The survey was conducted soon after the June 2013 calamity in the state. The villages need to be relocated to safe areas for which an amount of Rs 13000 crore will be needed, Rawat was quoted as saying in a statement.
Considering the severity of the problem and the limited resources at the state government's disposal, a helping hand from the Centre is expected, the Chief Minister said.
He also drew the PM's attention towards a Parliamentary Committee's recommendation that all school buildings in the state be made earthquake resistant and sought an additional assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for the purpose, the statement said.
Raising a slew of state-related issues, including a demand for funds under the 'Namami Gange' project, before the Prime Minister, Rawat sought Centre's full co-operation in his development endeavours, it said.
He demanded 707.60 crore for a detailed project report submitted by the state under the project.
Rawat also urged the Centre that for externally-aided projects, it should maintain a funding ratio of 90:10.
Speaking of the potential of hydel projects of Uttarakhand to turn around the state's economy, he sought early clearance of the 300 MW Lakhwad and 660 MW Kisau hydro power projects.
