KOTTAYAM: Union MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju said the state and Central governments would work together to provide relief to the people affected by the rain and ensuing floods. He was speaking to media persons after visiting the flood-hit areas in Kumarakom grama panchayat here on Saturday.
He added the Union Home Ministry would constitute an inter-ministerial team within 10 days to take a detailed report on the quantum of damages in Kerala.
“The team to be headed by a joint secretary-level officer in Union Home Ministry, will consist of representatives from all the departments concerned, including Finance, Health, Agriculture, Roads Transport and Highways, and Niti Aayog,” he said.
Rijiju said the kith and kin of the deceased people will be provided `4 lakh as relief.
He added `80 crore has been sanctioned to the state as immediate relief and long-term plans will be discussed with the state government later.
“This is a situation in which the Centre and state must come together. Natural disasters are unfortunate and a large number of people have been affected because of heavy rain. If any other things are required, we will discuss it,” he said.
Union MoState (Tourism) Alphons Kannamthanam and state Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar, Chief Secretary Tom Jose and additional chief secretary P H Kurien also accompanied Rijiju, who visited a relief camp in Chengalam and water-logged areas near Attamangalam church as well.
The Union minister also discussed rain-related havoc with Jose K Mani MP, MLAs K Suresh Kurup, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, District Collector B S Thirumeni and other officials, who were present on the spot.