Keeping in view the situation arising from unprecedented floods and landslides in Uttarakhand, the request made by the UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, for liberal Central assistance, and the demand of slightly over Rs. 900 crore projected by the Government of Uttarakhand to the Central Government in its interim memorandum, Prime Minister has announced advance ad hoc assistance of Rs. 500 crore to the state. This is in addition to the money advanced yesterday for the State Disaster Response Fund. An inter-Ministerial Central team has been constituted for visiting the state to make an on-the-spot assessment of the damages, and will make its visit as soon as the State Government is ready to receive it. Based on the assessment of the Central team, further assistance would be considered.