NAGERCOIL: The Asian Development Bank has allotted Rs.43 crore for the implementation of a livelihood promotion programme for the tsunami-affected fishermen in the district, Collector Sunil Paliwal has said.

Speaking to The Hindu , he said Kanyakumari district was one of the worst affected in the country.

With the concerted efforts of the Government, multinational agencies and non-governmental organisations, relief and rehabilitation works were carried out on a war footing.

Comprehensive plan

One year after the tragedy, it was felt that a comprehensive plan was needed for development of the affected areas that included Leepuram, Kovalam, Manakudy, Pallamthurai, Keseavanputhenthurai, Dharmapuram, Rajakkamangalam, Muttom, Simon Colony, Midalam, Enayamputhenthurai, Painkulam and Thoothur. Hence, the District Rural Development Agency sent a Rs.133.26-crore proposal.

Livelihood promotion was one of the components. So far, around 28,500 self-help groups had been promoted in the district and 2065 were in the tsunami-hit panchayats.

To improve the livelihood of the affected, these self-help groups had to be provided with economic assistance and revolving fund.

The DRDA had submitted a Rs.47.46-crore proposal for the livelihood programme, a Rs.10.07-crore proposal for water and sanitation and a Rs.75.09-crore proposal to improve infrastructure in 13 villages affected in the Agastheeswaram, Rajakkamangalam, Kurunthencode, Killiyoor and Munchirai blocks.

The Asian Development Bank had allotted Rs.43 crore in the first phase for the implementation of livelihood promotion programmes.

Training

Moreover, Rs.32.22 lakhs had been allotted by the State towards the cost of stationary items and to disburse salary to a team of project staff for three years, and Rs.31.32 lakhs towards capacity building training to women and youth in masonry, carpentry, coir making and micro-enterprises.

The DRDA decided to execute 5,672 works in the affected village panchayats, said project officer P. Selvarajan.

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