Ramesh Chennithala seeks department for relief

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has demanded the setting up of a separate Government department for the effective coordination of disaster relief activities.

Hailing the joint efforts by all sections of society, especially fishermen, Mr Chennithala said that this unity should be maintained during the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit people. Party flags should be avoided while carrying out relief activities, he urged.

“Fishermen deserve due appreciation as they voluntarily ventured for the rescue operations, risking their lives. Many lives could be saved owing to their brave act," the opposition leader said.

Mr. Chennithala also said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi would be visiting the flood-affected areas soon after Onam. Mr. Gandhi kept off from the visit at this point of time as it might disrupt relief activities. He had already asked all Congress MPs and MLAs to contribute one month’s salary for the relief activities. The UDF would soon chalk out a relief plan, Mr. Chennithala said.

He also said it was due to the failure of state disaster management authority in effectively handling the rescue operations that he demanded that the Army should be allowed to take over rescue operations. But that did not mean that the Army should be entrusted with state's governance, he added.

Mr. Chennithala said that he reserved his comments on the many reasons that had led to the calamity as he did not want to disturb the pace and manner of relief activities.