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Schemes for tsunami victims soon

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government will launch schemes to provide various benefits to tsunami-affected families in the State on the second anniversary of the disaster, said Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran here on Monday. Families, especially children, in the nine coastal districts will benefit.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan would inaugurate the disbursement of benefits at a commemorative function to be held at Alapad in Kollam district on December 26, said the Minister. Alapad was the worst affected area in the State.

The benefits would include scholarships to children, besides establishment of counselling and other facilities for them. Arrangements would be made for tuition classes for children from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A library would also function during this period.

Classes would be organised for students of Class IX for career guidance, said Mr. Rajendran.

Replying to a question, he said additional assistance to children at the beginning of the academic year would be considered.

The Minister also announced that a health insurance scheme covering 1.58 lakh families would be launched on the occasion using funds from the Prime Minister's National Calamity Relief Fund.

The cover would be for Rs.30,000 a year. The premium would be Rs.540 for a family of five, which would be paid by the Government. Initially, the scheme would be taken up for three years.

He said a memorial would be built in the Alapad panchayat in memory of those who died in the disaster. Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran would lay the stone for `Smriti Mandapam.'

A high-power committee chaired by Principal Secretary (Revenue) Nivedita P. Haran would oversee the implementation of the schemes, he said.

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