Kerala - Kollam   

Government mulls more relief for rain-hit

Staff Reporter

Cabinet to take decision based on reports from districts

KOLLAM: Minister for Labour P.K. Gurudasan said the State Government will consider increasing the compensation and relief amount for those who had suffered losses during last week's flooding and sea erosion caused by the monsoon.

The minister was talking to press persons here after attending a high-level meeting on Sunday to assess the damage caused by the rain in the district.

The State Government had allocated Rs. 6 crore for relief measures. The share for Kollam district was Rs.50 lakh. The Cabinet meeting of June 7 will consider hiking that amount. It will be based on reports from the districts assessing the losses suffered.

He said, all those who stayed in relief camps and all Adivasi colonies will be given free ration for another two more weeks. In Kollam district three persons, two adults and a child, had died in the monsoon flooding. The dependents of the adults will be paid a relief of Rs. 10,000 each and the Rs. 5000 to the parents of the child.

Crop damage is under assessment. Those whose houses were fully or partially damaged will be entitled to compensations. Those in the coastal areas who had suffered losses due to sea erosion will also be entitled to relief and compensation. Mr. Gurudasan said principal of all schools have been directed to prune or axe down trees to avoid accidents. The Public Works Department has also been directed to cut down trees on roadsides, which pose danger to electric lines in the event of strong winds.

He said, in order to tackle the drought situation in the district prior to the arrival of the rain, Rs. 50 lakh had been allocated to solve the drinking water problem. Rs.12 lakh had been spent for the purpose.

The remaining Rs.38 lakh will be utilised for replacing pipes and carrying out other maintenance work. Thrust will be given to augment drinking water supply in the coastal areas.

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