Sindh asks Centre for Rs4b to better compensate rain victims

Losses in the province amounted to Rs8 billion, says CM Murad

KARACHI:

The Sindh government on Wednesday requested the federal government to provide Rs4 billion in order to better compensate people affected by this year's monsoon rainfall in the "calamity-hit" districts of the province. 

The decision was taken by the provincial cabinet during a meeting to assess damages and losses suffered by the people during this year's rainfall. 

* سندھ کابینہ نے وفاقی حکومت سے درخواست کی کہ وہ بھی 4 بلین روپے دیں

* اگر وفاقی حکومت کی جانب سے 4 بلین روپے دیئے گئے تو معاوضہ دگنا ہوجائے گا

* معاوضہ دگنا ہونے سے متاثرین کو بحالی کیلئے کچھ بہتر رقم مل جائے گی

— CMHouseSindh (@SindhCMHouse) December 9, 2020

The participants of the meeting were informed that around 1,752 dehs, 2,297,108 people, 1,499,411 acres of standing crop, 291,981 households, and 1,292,643 houses were damaged during the monsoon season.

It was stated during the meeting that at least 149 people lost their lives and 103 were injured in rain-related incidents. At least 19,858 animals also died. 

* وزیراعلیٰ سندھ سید مراد علی شاہ کی زیرصدارت کابینہ کا اجلاس

* اجلاس میں صوبائی وزراء، مشیر، چیف سیکریٹری اور دیگر متعلقہ افسران شریک

— CMHouseSindh (@SindhCMHouse) December 9, 2020

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said losses in the province amounted to Rs8 billion and added that his government would give compensation to the poor and affected people across the province to rehabilitate them.

The cabinet approved an amount of Rs100,000 for each family of the deceased and Rs25,000 for those who were injured during the rains. 

In addition, it also approved Rs10,000 for those whose houses were damaged or partially destroyed, while Rs25,000 will be given to those whose houses were completely destroyed. 

For those who lost livestock, Rs10,000 per animal will be paid as compensation.

As per the provincial cabinet, total compensation for rain victims was estimated to be more than Rs4 billion. The cabinet requested the federal government to provide an additional Rs4 billion to double the relief amount for better rehabilitation of the victims.

Along with providing relief to individuals, the cabinet further decided to provide relief to small businesses and crops affected by the recent heavy rains. The meeting decided that the provincial government will provide tax exemption to small businesses. CM Murad said that he will write a letter to the federal government requesting for exemption in federal taxes to compensate small businesses and crop losses.

He added that he will also write a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, requesting compensation amount of Rs4 billion for the victims.

* وزیراعلیٰ سندھ وزیراعظم کو خط لکھ کر 4بلین روپے کی متاثرین کیلئے معاوضہ دینے کی بھی درخواست کرینگے

— CMHouseSindh (@SindhCMHouse) December 9, 2020

Earlier, the chief minister said that the amount would be disbursed through ATM cards and directed the chief secretary to discuss with Sindh Bank and work out a detailed plan for the issuance of ATM cards at the earliest.

“The beneficiaries must have a CNIC and the cards would be verified from NADRA before disbursement of the compensation,” he added.