The Hindu : Front Page : State seeks Rs.250 crore for flood relief

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Thursday, Jul 19, 2007
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State seeks Rs.250 crore for flood relief

Special Correspondent

Government planning special scheme for rehabilitation: Chief Minister

On the spot: Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty being saved from falling as he wades through floodwaters at Urngattiri in Malappuram on Wednesday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution urging the Centre to sanction Rs. 250 crore to enable the State to carry out flood relief.

The resolution, moved by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, at the fag end of the debate on an adjournment motion on the rain havoc, said the monsoon had claimed 141 lives, 21 in the last two days. Owing to incessant rains, floods and landslips, the State Government had opened 250 relief camps for an estimated 20,000 victims. More than 28,000 houses had been partially damaged and 1,500 houses completely destroyed in the floods. The State had requisitioned the services of the Rapid Action Force, Navy and the National Disaster Management Force. A similar resolution was passed on June 28 following which an all-party meeting was held and a delegation visited Delhi to apprise the Centre of the situation. The Centre had, however, not extended any substantial help so far, the resolution said.

Replying to the debate, the Chief Minister said the State Government would prepare a special scheme for rehabilitation of the affected people. The Government had land in its possession and this would be redistributed to those whose land had been washed away in the floods.

Call to MLAs

“While stating this, I have in mind the large tracts of land the Government has recovered through its eviction campaign in Munnar and other parts of the State,” the Chief Minister said. He urged the MLAs to report to the Government about the state of affairs in their respective constituencies to take the necessary relief and rehabilitation measures.

He said it was not right to view the State Government as a mere distributing agency for Central funds. The State Government had sanctioned funds four times more than the Central allocation. Financial assistance had been released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. “While doing so, we have maintained our identity and this would continue,” he said in obvious reference to Central norms in releasing financial assistance.

Free ration

Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran, who spoke on behalf of Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran, said more than 10 lakh affected people had been given free ration. He said the delay in beginning the distribution of free ration was on account of the need to prepare an eligibility list by a committee comprising the village officer, panchayat president and a panchayat official. The decision to set up such committees was taken during the discussions with the Leader of the Opposition, he said.

With regard to payment of higher amount as compensation, he said the Government was bound by Central norms, which did not suit the State’s interest.

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