The Hindu : Kerala News : Project for healthcare in coastal areas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 31, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Project for healthcare in coastal areas

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 30. The Health Department will draw up a major project for healthcare in the coastal areas, the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, said here on Thursday.

Talking to mediapersons after a special meeting of the Cabinet, the Chief Minister said Central assistance would be sought for this.

Relief work

Mr. Chandy said those who had lost their houses in the tsunami strike would be given assistance to rebuild their houses. At Edavanakkad, 47 houses would be built on a 1.8-acre plot to rehabilitate the victims. Besides, the Fisheries Department would complete 29 houses for which it had already given some assistance.

He said the Government would provide assistance for cleaning and minor repairs of houses at Kodungallur and Chappa beaches. The services of Kudumbasree workers, self-help groups and voluntary agencies would be sought in carrying out the cleaning work. The Irrigation Department would carry out the repairs. The services of engineers belonging to various agencies such as the District Rural Development Agency, State Housing Board, Public Works Department, State Electricity Board and local self-governments would be used to check the structural condition of houses and carry out repairs wherever necessary.

He said the Government wanted to build safe houses for the people of Alapad and Arattupuzha as suggested by experts. However, the opinion of the locals would be taken into consideration. Many did not want to be relocated. The Revenue Minister, K.M. Mani, would convene a conference on Friday evening to discuss rehabilitation measures, including rebuilding of Alapad and Arattupuzha villages.

He said the finalisation of the proposed one-year action plan of the Government would be advanced by three weeks as the Government accorded priority to relief work. The Cabinet would consider the plan on January 15.

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