The Hindu : Kerala News : Government to enhance compensation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Government to enhance compensation

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 27. A special meeting of the Cabinet on Monday decided to enhance the compensation for the victims of the tsunami disaster and carry out a package for the revival of the worst-affected areas of Alappad (Kollam district) and Arattupuzha (Alappuzha district).

The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, told presspersons after the Cabinet meeting that the assistance to the next of kin of those who died in the natural calamity would be increased from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh considering the special nature of the disaster. The ex-gratia for dead children would be increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000.

The injured would be paid Rs. 5,000 each. Those who suffered a handicap would be paid Rs. 25,000 each. These benefits would be available to residents of the State even if they became victims of tsunami outside the State boundaries. A housing scheme would be drawn up for the benefit of those who had lost their houses to the waves.

Toll may rise

He said the toll would rise, as many were feared trapped under collapsed houses, earth and debris. The post mortem procedures would be simplified to help those claiming the bodies of the victims. The bodies would be released in half-an-hour of the relatives making the request.

The Chief Minister said that large-scale drinking water scheme would be carried out for Alappad village. Additional tube wells with overhead tanks would be provided at Arattupuzha. The Government would also take up construction of bridges at Azheeckal on the Alappad Ayiramthengu road and the Kochidejetty on the Arattupuzha-Kayamkulam road. The Centre would be approached for assistance to provide relief and to build sea walls.

Mr. Chandy said that about 32,000 persons had been evacuated to 115 relief camps in view of warning that tides could rise again during the next 48 hours. The people in the camp were being provided with free food, sanitation and health care.

He said that Ministers were overseeing relief in Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts. They would report back to a special Cabinet tomorrow. An all-party conference had also been scheduled for tomorrow.

Navy to join relief work

He said that the Navy and Coast Guard had joined the relief work from last night. The Coast Guard was doing aerial surveys for finding victims. JCB and other equipment were being used to dig up bodies. Mobile mortuaries were being made available in Government and private hospitals for preserving bodies until the relatives claimed them.

He said that the Government had not received much information on the Malayalis hit by the disaster in Tamil Nadu. If the relatives contacted the Government, it would provide all necessary help to locate bodies and bring them to the State.

The Ministers in charge of the relief work, Collectors and other officials together had been authorised to take on-the-spot decisions on relief work without consulting the Government. There would not be any payment restrictions on cheques issued for relief work.

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