The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Salem News : Rs. 7.53 cr. for drought relief in Salem

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 26, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Salem

Rs. 7.53 cr. for drought relief in Salem

By Our Special Correspondent

SALEM, AUG. 25. The Collector, A. Sukumaran, has said the Government had sanctioned Rs. 7.53 crores for drought relief in the district under the "Food for work'' scheme, which included the cash component of Rs. 1.88 crores and rice to the tune of 10 lakh tonnes.

After reviewing the scheme with the officials concerned here today, the Collector said that through this scheme the employment would be provided to rural poor who were living below the poverty line by creating 14.28 lakh mandays.

The labourers would be given a sum of Rs. 54 as daily wage. A part of the daily wage would include 7 kg of rice and other being the cash component of Rs. 14.45. One kilogram of rice would cost Rs. 5.65.

Nodal agency

Government departments would carry out the scheme for which the nodal agency would be the District Rural Development Agency.

No contractor would be permitted and use of machines was prohibited. The administration had given sanction to carry out 957 works at an estimated cost of Rs.8.19 crores.

Mr. Sukumaran also held a discussion with the officials with regard to the disaster management situations arsing out of natural calamity.

He said that according to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Salem district falls under the earthquake moderate damage risk zone and earthquake low damage risk zone along with wind very high- risk zone and wind moderate damage risk zone categories.

Disaster management plan

He said that in case the district experienced seismic disturbances, landslips and high velocity winds, the officials should rise up to the occasion.

The officials, the Collector insisted should make the people aware of the importance of warning, safety and first aid.

Issuing a note of caution about the advancing North East Monsoon, Mr. Sukumaran detailed the important components of the Disaster Management Plan.

He asked the officials to co-ordinate with the local Non-Governmental Organisations and social groups in times of distress.

The disaster management included the storage of adequate medicines, rice and potable water. Cyclone Relief Centres should be opened at marriage halls and educational institutions. Proper drainage facilities in each village should be provided. People living in the low-lying areas should be adequately warned and if needed evacuated.

Cattle heads also should be properly vaccinated.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section

Rs. 7.53 cr. for drought relief in Salem

SHG protest demanding basic amenities