By IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh has demanded a compensation of Rs.991 crore from the central government for the losses incurred during the past monsoon, an official said here Monday.
The demand was raised by Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu at a meeting with the central team here Sunday, a government spokesperson told IANS.
The team headed by joint secretary Bhagwan Shankar had visited flood-affected areas in Kangra, Kullu and Solan districts.
An official of the state government said Rs.484 crore was sought for maintenance and restoration works for public works department, Rs.66.11 crore for losses to horticulture crops, Rs.97.94 crore for irrigation and public health department and Rs.38.27 crore for urban development.
Contrary to last year, the southwest monsoon was deficient in the state this year.
The Met office here said this year the rainfall was eight percent deficient in the state, whereas it was 16 percent more than the normal in 2010.
From June 1 to Sep 26, the state experienced 730.8 mm rainfall against the normal of 793.2 mm, it said.
Lahaul and Spiti and Solan districts received deficient rainfall. Himachal Pradesh’s agriculture and horticulture-based economy is highly dependent on the monsoon.