The Hindu : Front Page : Rain losses put at Rs.1,000 crore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 28, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Rain losses put at Rs.1,000 crore

Special Correspondent

State to seek maximum financial assistance from the Centre

V.S. Achuthanandan says calamity the worst in recent times.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet has estimated the losses on account of monsoon fury at Rs.1,000 crore and decided to seek maximum financial assistance from the Centre to provide relief and compensation for the rain-hit.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the destruction wrought by the rain was the worst in recent times. As many as 70 persons had lost their lives, crops in large tracts had gone waste and several homes, schools and other buildings suffered damage in the rain. The Government would present before the Centre the exact magnitude of the calamity in the coming few days, he said.

Thanks all sections

Mr. Achuthanandan thanked all sections of people, including officials, workers of voluntary agencies and youth organisations, for the role they played in the relief work and urged them to be part of the rehabilitation effort as well.

The Government would give free ration to all Adivasi families in view of the rain-wrought havoc and loss of employment. Free ration would also be provided to families of bamboo and reed workers, he said.

The Chief Minister said the Cabinet decided to ask the Kottayam District Collector to deposit Rs.1 lakh in the name of the mentally-challenged son of Krishnan Kutty of Karukachal in Kottayam district who died by drowning.

Asked to comment on the outburst of the Agricultural Debt Relief Commission chairperson K.A. Abdul Ghafoor against the Government, Mr. Achuthanandan said the outburst was justified as there was delay in releasing funds and deploying sufficient hands for the Commission.

The deployment of staff was done only during the last few days, mainly on account of the attitude adopted by Secretariat officials. That things came to such a pass was most unfortunate. The Government would take immediate steps to address the grievances of the Commission, he said.

Bribe charge

He saw no merit in the Opposition demand for action on the alleged acceptance of Rs.1 crore in bribe by a deputy general manager of Deshabhimani from a private finance firm and demanded to know whether any action had been taken when charges relating to corruption involving crores of rupees came up against the UDF leaders. He also replied in the negative when asked whether he had received any complaint from the finance firm regarding the incident.

The Chief Minister said the Cabinet had decided to promote Mr. Alphonse Louis Erayil as Director General of Police and post him as Commandant, Fire and Rescue Department.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page