The Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, today announced that the Central Government would release an amount of Rs 500 crore to Assam for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected people. He made the announcement after an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of the State today. Addressing a Press conference at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi airport this evening, the Union Home Minister assured that more funds would be made available if necessary. He said that Rs 300 crore would be released immediately and the rest of the amount would be released after the first instalment is spent. He said that the State Government sought an amount of Rs 750 crore for relief and rehabilitation. Patil said that the Assam Government did not wait for Central funds to provide help to the flood-affected people. It started providing relief to the affected people on its own without waiting for Central funds and it should be an example for the other States of the country, he added. He said that the Assam Government started providing assistance to the affected people, and only now it approached the Prime Minister for extra help. Reacting to the allegation that the Centre deprived Assam in matters of release of funds, Patil said that the Centre releases funds as per requirement and demand. Sometimes some States get more than others and vice versa, he added. It may be mentioned here that different organizations of the State are accusing the Centre of depriving Assam of its dues. The Union Home Minister asked the State Government to draw up a long-term plan for the permanent solution of the problem of funds.