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Ministers review tsunami rehabilitation programme

Staff Reporter

Government to consider waiver of loans

TAKING STOCK: Fisheries Minister S. Sarma addressing the review meeting on Alapad tsunami rehabilitation programme in Kollam on Friday. Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran is also seen.

KOLLAM: Fisheries Minister S. Sarma and Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran said here on Friday that the State Government will consider writing off the loans taken by those who had lost their lives in the tsunami devastation.

The Ministers were addressing a joint press conference after conducting a review meeting on the progress of the tsunami rehabilitation programme at Alapad.

Mr. Sarma said that out of the 2,910 houses being constructed for the tsunami victims of Alapad, the construction of 2,404 houses have been completed. Construction of another 75 houses will be completed within a week. Steps are being taken to speed up the work on the remaining houses.

Complaints in connection with the distribution of livelihood implements to the victims will be examined. If those deserving feel they did not get the benefits, they can apply again and the same will be considered.

The Cabinet will take a decision on upgrading the Primary Health Centre at Alapad into a Community Health Centre and also upgrading the Upper Primary School there.

A scientific study will be conducted for the purpose of constructing a seawall along the Alapad coast. Steps have been taken to commission the Kayamkulam Fishing Harbour in a time-bound manner. The drinking water scheme to be implemented in Alapad will be under the supervision of a monitoring committee. Measures have also been taken to ensure a steady temporary water supply in the area.

Math's request

Mr. Divakaran, who is also the MLA from Karunagapally constituency which includes Alapad, said that the request from the Mata Amritanandamayi Math for reimbursement of Sales Tax on materials purchased by the Math for the construction of houses for the tsunami victims will be taken by the Cabinet for consideration. The Math is constructing the highest number of houses for the tsunami victims. A request for reimbursement of more than Rs.2 crores paid as Sales Tax had been submitted to the previous Government but no decision had been taken on it.

District B. Sreenivas, district panchayat president K. Devaki, Government officials and representatives of the people from Alapad were present at the review meeting.

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