THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the relief and rehabilitation of the Ockhi-affected fishermen and reconstruction of their coast, Kerala has sought a Rs 7340.95-crore special package from the Centre during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on Tuesday. Modi, who got a first-hand experience of the devastation during his visit to the Poonthura coast, promised to favourably consider the demand, with sources describing his response as “positive, but non-committal.” The package is in addition to the Rs 422.16 crore assessed by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as immediate assistance. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan submitted the demand for special package before Modi during a review meeting at the Government Guest House on Tuesday evening.
The Centre will extend all support to the state government in carrying out the relief work and also seriously look into the latter’s report on the delay in alert about the cyclone. The system for disaster management too will be improved. “The Prime Minister said he would do his best to help,” said the sources. The Chief Minister reiterated the state’s demand to declare Ockhi as a national calamity.
Pinarayi mentioned the role the Union Defence and Home Ministries played in coordinating the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard for search and rescue operations. He also thanked the Prime Minister for the Centre’s timely support. Pinarayi said the state government has taken all possible rescue and relief measures.
The loss assessed by the NDRF, Rs 422 crore, is much less than the actual loss. It is inadequate to meet the damage and, hence, a special package of Rs 7,340 crore was sought from the Centre. The CM said search for the missing is still going on. Attempts are also being made to bring them back to normal life, he said.
Centre announces Rs 325 crore more
Nagercoil: The Centre on Tuesday announced an immediate assistance of Rs 325 crore for Ockhihit areas of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshad weep. The Central relief is in addition to the J280 crore given to Tamil Nadu and J76 crore to Kerala earlier this month, according to a press release.
SPECIAL PACKAGE
Rs 12.5 cr To dependents of deceased
Rs 1.5 cr For those unable to work
Rs 4.77 cr Pension for those unable to work
Rs 6.25 cr For livelihood for dependents of the deceased
Rs 7.5 cr For children’s edu expenses
Rs 0.15 cr Vocational training for dependents
Rs 3,003 cr For house construction
Rs 537 cr Electrification
Rs 230 cr Debt relief
Rs 315 cr Social welfare
Rs 1641 cr Scheme to mitigate impact of disaster
Rs 600 cr To improve education facilities
Rs 973 cr Others