Financial aid for flood-hit Kerala

Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a financial package of Rs 4 lakh to those who have lost their residence and Rs 6 lakh to those who lost both residence and their landed property in the rain havoc in the state. The chief minister made the announcement at a review meeting held at Aluva after visiting the relief camps in Ernakulam district on Saturday. Those who lost their land due to landslips will be given Rs 6 lakh for purchasing new land, he said.    

The people who leave the relief camps to their homes will be given a special assistance of Rs 3,800. The government will also issue certificate and documents without any charges for those who have lost their vital documents. If the number of persons who have lost the documents is high, a special adalat will be held for issuing them fresh documents, Mr Vijayan said.

Students who have lost their textbooks will be given new ones, he said. The government will also direct the hospitals to keep enough anti-venom stocks in view of the threat of snake bites due to flooding in many places. He also cautioned about the possibilities of epidemics spreading in the areas affected by floods.An intensive cleaning campaign will be held after water recedes in these areas by the health department with the help of local bodies, voluntary organisations and common people.  Wells will be cleaned with chlorine. Immediate steps will be taken for restoring the damaged roads.   The flood situation was unprecedented as the state was compelled to open 22 dams at the same time leading to submerging of large chunks of areas, Mr Vijayan said.

Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan was also present in the review meeting attended by MPs, MLAs, members of the local bodies, chief secretary Tom Jose, additional chief secretary P.H. Kurien, DGP Loknath Behera and otherofficials.