BHUBANESWAR, May 1: Prime Minister I K Gujral on Monday announced Central assistance worth Rs 4 crore under the Long-Term Action Programme (LTAP) for the emergency feeding programme in drought-hit Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) districts in Orissa.

Addressing a press conference here before his departure for New Delhi on Monday, the prime minister said that the amount would be released within a couple of days.

Gujral also announced that a small working group would meet in Delhi in a few days to sort out the problems of the State.

He said that the United Front government's approach to the drought conditions in the KBK and other districts would be to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister J B Patnaik and the State Government for providing relief to the people.

A team of senior officials including the Union Secretary in the coordination department accompanied the prime minister. Gujral discussed with Patnaik and senior officials of the State Government regarding problems faced by the State in view of the unprecedented drought.

Stating that providing relief to the suffering people would be the top priority of his government, the prime minister said that no politics or bureaucratic approach would be allowed to interfere.

Admitting that there was some difference of opinion between the Centre and the State Governments regarding the amounts required and the funds provided for tackling the drought, the prime minister announced that funds for providing drought relief under various Central programmes would not be a constraint.

Gujral said that the Union Government has so far released Rs 383 crore under various heads exclusively for relief operations. Besides, additional funds are also available under the Integrated Rural Development Programme which also make an impact on drought relief, he said. Stating that some steps had been taken to revive the rabi crop, Gujral said that priority would also be attached to ensure fodder and water for cattle, advance steps should also be taken for reviving agriculture in the next season, he said.

Gujral said that funds would not be a problem for the implementation of the LTAP. Admitting that there were some administrative problems, Gujral said that he has directed the Cabinet Secretariat officials to sit with the State officials and come out with solutions. Stating that he would personally review the progress of the implementation of the programme, Gujral hoped that some headway could be made in this area.

The prime minister said the latest memorandum submitted to him by the chief minister highlighted the drought, the non-implementation of LTAP and projects awaiting Central clearance.

Stating that the memorandum would receive his closest attention, Gujral announced that he was committed to the all-round development of Orissa.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.