SHILLONG, June 3: The Meghalaya government has released an advance fund of Rs 19 crore to all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the state to deal with natural calamities. It may be noted that since May 29, at least six people have lost their lives and one person remains missing in rain-related incidents.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla stated that the funds can be utilised by the DCs as per the specific needs of their respective districts.
Meanwhile, the state government has sanctioned an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of five victims who died in the recent incidents. The ex-gratia amount for the sixth victim has been placed with the concerned Block Development Officer (BDO).
The state recently witnessed extensive infrastructure damage due to incessant rains that lasted for four consecutive days.