PUNE: Guardian Minister Girish Bapat, on Saturday, declared Rs 3 crore as total compensation for the persons whose homes were damaged or washed away following the Mutha canal breach on Thursday.

He was speaking during a meeting arranged at the district collectorate on Saturday. Jayashree Katare, Resident Deputy Collector, Bhausaheb Galande, Sub-Divisional Commissioner, Geta Dalvi, Tehsildar, were also present. 

Bapat said the incident should be considered as a natural disaster. “According to the government’s relief and rehabilitation department, the victims will get compensation. But taking into account the intensity of the damage, Rs 3 crore should be sanctioned right away. The follow-up for the proposal of the compensation money will be taken,” he said.

He added that the list of affected families should be given to shopkeepers from the public distribution system so that they are given foodgrain on time.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Jayashree Katare said the panchanama by the administration is not yet over. “So far, we have identified 740 homes. The number of homes may increase as the panchanama is not yet complete. Of the 740 houses, 90 were completely destroyed while the rest suffered major damage,” added Katare.