Flood Relief: Homeless yet to get Kerala government aid

Kochi: Distribution of financial assistance of Rs 4 lakhs announced by the state government for those who have lost their houses during floods has not begun in Ernakulam district. This despite the affected families have started submitting applications online.

“Though district collector has instructed officials concerned to provide Rs 1 lakh as immediate assistance to families who lost houses completely, it has not begun yet,” said a revenue official from an affected panchayat. “This is due to serious errors in the beneficiaries’ list uploaded in the website. This mismatch  has delayed disbursal of the funds.” 

Earlier, the government has issued a directive that 50 per cent of the funds will be given to the beneficiaries once 25 per cent of the house construction was over. The remaining amount will be provided to them after completing 75 per cent of the works. 

Rs 4 lakhs is being given from State Disaster Response Fund and Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund on the condition that the families will reconstruct the houses on their own.

If the families have got financial assistance from outside agencies or non-governmental agencies for house reconstruction, they will not be eligible for government aid.

Meanwhile, reconstruction of fully and partially damaged houses is on full swing in villages such as Kunnukara, Puthan-velikara, Palathuruth, Chendamangalam and Cheranalloor. Many of the houses, being reconstructed with the support of NGOs, are nearing completion.

Works to repair 350 houses have already started in Kunnukara village where 90 per cent of the areas were marooned with hundreds of houses completely ruined.