The Hindu : Kerala News : State to seek Rs. 757-crore aid from Centre

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 30, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

State to seek Rs. 757-crore aid from Centre

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 29. The Cabinet today decided to seek Rs. 757 crores as aid from the Centre for relief and rehabilitation of the victims of tsunami that devastated several coastal villages on Sunday.

Briefing presspersons on the Cabinet decisions, the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, said that the request for assistance would be made to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, when he visits the State tomorrow. The aid was being sought for reconstruction and protection of the coastal areas.

Mr. Chandy, who spoke to the media after a conference with scientists, said the Government proposed to put a disaster management system in place to meet future calamities.

Warning system

The plans included early warning systems and construction of shelters with foreign assistance. A report on this would be prepared in two weeks. There were differing opinions on whether arrival of tsunamis could be predicted.

Sea walls

He said scientists were not in agreement on the advisability of constructing sea walls to protect the coasts. They felt that the people in the coastal areas could be rehabilitated at a lesser cost. However, the people wanted sea walls. So the Government proposed to construct them immediately at Alappad, Arattupuzha and Andhakaranazhi and Alappuzha along the four-km stretch. A memorandum would be submitted to the Centre seeking comprehensive measures for the protection of the coast. People's representatives would be consulted before the rehabilitation plans were finalised, he said.

Mr. Chandy said the technical sanction for constructing bridges connecting Arattupuzha and Alappad to the mainland would be issued soon. Army's help would be sought for constructing temporary bridges there pending completion of the permanent ones.

The Revenue Minister, K.M. Mani, would convene a meeting of Members of Parliament from the State and the Assembly, panchayat presidents and others to discuss rebuilding of the two villages in three days.

Mr. Chandy said all should avoid New Year celebrations and contribute the money for relief work.

Loan repayment

The Cabinet, he said, decided to defer repayment of loans available by fishermen in the tsunami-affected areas by six months. Low interest loans would also be made available to them.

The one-time settlement schemes of the cooperative banks and the State Housing Board would be extended from December 31 to March 31, 2005 throughout the State.

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