ZAGREB, Oct 2 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament started Thursday's sitting with a debate on the allocation of budgetary funds worth 400 million kuna to towns and municipalities affected by this year's drought and other natural
disasters.
ZAGREB, Oct 2 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament started Thursday's
sitting with a debate on the allocation of budgetary funds worth 400
million kuna to towns and municipalities affected by this year's
drought and other natural disasters. #L#
Branka Balentic, chairperson of the national commission in charge
of assessing damage caused by natural disasters, said this year's
damage had been estimated at some two billion and 20 million kuna
(approx. 269 million euros).
The commission has received some 700 requests for financial
assistance from 19 counties which this summer declared a state of
natural disaster.
Marko Baricevic of the Social Liberals warned that the proposed
decision was not backed with a detailed assessment of damage.
He accused the government of having calculated higher damages for
counties whose prefects were members of the ruling coalition's
parties.
Baricevic was supported by independent deputy Ivo Loncar.
Branko Tusek of the Social Democratic Party said the government had
done all it could to help farmers, unlike counties and towns which
had not demonstrated such solidarity. Stjepan Zivkovic of the
Croatian Peasant Party supported Tusek's statement.
Tibor Santo of the Liberal Party warned about the need to reorganise
the Croatian Waters company so it could launch irrigation
projects.
(hina) rml