HYDERABAD - Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, on Saturday, declared Badin district as calamity-hit area and announced an initial grant of Rs 5 million to undertake relief works for the rain-hit people there. Addressing a gathering of internally displaced persons (IDPs) camped at the Government Boys High School, Badin, the chief minister observed that heavy intermittent rains played havoc prompting shifting of around 40,000 rain-affected people to 86 relief camps set up in all five talukas of the district. The government, said Qaim, would grant compensation to those whose houses and standing crops were damaged as a result of the heavy rainfall. He also said that remission of water charges, Dhal and Abyana, would be given to the affected farmers. Qaim said that a survey of the losses due to rains in other parts of the province was also being carried out. He informed that all required facilities, including food stuff and medicines, were being provided to the affected people in the camps while efforts were underway to drain out standing rainwater at the earliest. The chief minister said that due to occupation of school buildings, which had been converted into relief camps, the government would make alternate arrangements for students to avoid any disruption in their studies. He also hailed the Badin District Administration for providing rescue and relief to the rain-affected people efficiently and promptly. Qaim assured the gathering of the governments support, saying they would not be left alone. The Sindh government, he added, would extend its full help to affected people and would also mobilise NGOs and other organisations to help them in an effective manner. He said that in addition to food, drinking water, medical cover, the 86 relief camps were also providing facilities of education to the IDPs and their children. The chief minister alleged that while the PPP and its government were actively engaged in providing relief to the poor people, some political elements, having negative agenda, were hatching conspiracies and making hue and cry against the government. He said these elements should come to the rain-hit people for their consolation rather than prioritising their interests. Later, talking to media men, the chief minister said he visited Naukot, Kaloi, Digri and other parts of Tharparkar district, adding that he would also visit other parts of Sindh. To a question, he said the Sindh government had already provided Rs 5 million to the Badin District Administration for relief works. He said the federal government would also be asked for providing funds for this purpose. Qaim was accompanied by provincial Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Sindh Minister for Irrigation Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Sindh Minister for Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Muzaffar Shuja, Sindh Chief Secretary Mohammad Abbas, local PPP leader Dr Sikandar Mahindro and Kamal Chang. The chief minister inquired from the officers concerned about food and medical facilities being provided to the IDPs. He also distributed ration bags among the IDPs. Earlier, the chief minister visited the Morjhar Mirza Farm where he was briefing by officials of the district administration about the relief and rescue activities. Badin DCO Dr Qazim Hussain Jatoi, while briefing the chief minister, said that about 31,500 people had been internally displaced due to the 475 mm rainfall.