Kerala - Kochi   

Tsunami damage: meeting reviews relief works

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, DEC. 29. The State machinery was actively involved in the relief works following the tsunami attack, according to the Fisheries Minister, Dominic Presentation.

He was addressing the media after attending a meeting called to assess the relief works. The meeting was attended by the Kochi Mayor, C. M. Dinesh Mani, the District Collector, A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, Sebastian Paul, MP; K.V. Thomas, V.K. Ibrahim Kunju, M.A. Chandrasekharan and V.D. Satheesan, MLAs; the chairman of the Greater Cochin Development Authority, Antony Isaac, the president of the District Panchayat, K.B. Mohammed Kutty, the RDO, Mini Antony, panchayat presidents, tahsildars and heads of various departments.

More than 3,000 families were affected by the calamity and as many as 42 relief camps were opened initially. At present, there are only 34 camps. Though the State Government had decided not to wind up any camp, many of these camps are being closed as inmates are returning to their homes, Mr. Presentation said.

Compensation

It has been decided to provide Rs. 50,000 as compensation for those whose homes have been destroyed. The Department of Fisheries has been asked to evaluate the damage caused to the fishermen. Equipment like fishing nets could be given in advance through the Matsyafed, the Minister said.

Projects such as the construction of a colony at the Chappa beach at Vypeen would be completed soon as part of the rehabilitation process. The process of cleaning up the dirt accumulated in the houses along the coast would begin soon, with active participation of local panchayats and agencies such as the NCC, he added.

Roads damaged in the calamity will be repaired soon. The Kerala Water Authority has been asked to repair the damaged pipes on a war-footing.

The Muvattupuzha Municipality and Thiruvairanikulam temple officials have donated Rs. one lakh each to the relief fund and Aluva Municipality has promised Rs. 45,000, said Mr. Hanish.

Demand accepted

The meeting convened earlier accepted the demand by the Mattancherry and Paravur MLAs to declare the region as calamity-hit, even though the villages in Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Paravur taluk did not have casualties or loss of lives warranting such an action.

A meeting of village and block panchayat presidents, vice-presidents, secretaries and panchayat members concerned will be convened at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Collector's Camp office for preparing an action plan for cleaning up the area. This will be followed by a meeting of Government-aided colleges, higher secondary school principals, coordinators of National Service Schemes and NCC programme officers.

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

Kerala

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Tsunami damage: meeting reviews relief works
Navy, Coast Guard continue rescue operations
MLA gheraoed
FACT to send medical team
Around the City
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu