Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir on Monday said 45,000 houses would be constructed in areas ravaged by Titli cyclonic under Prime Minister Awas Yojana and a sum of ₹2.5 lakh would be released for each unit.
Mr. Ahir visited the affected villages, including Vajrapukotturu and Tekkali, and gave a patient hearing to the victims. He promised to enhance work from 100 days to 200 days under the national rural employment guarantee programme.
The Central team which visited the region recently, has put the loss at ₹1,330 crore. “We have already released ₹229 crore and will release ₹539 crore very soon. More funds will be released for undertaking repairs to tanks and implementing food security programmes,” he said.
Earlier, in-charge Collector KVN Chakradhar Babu submitted a report to the Union Minister detailing the relief measures being taken up in the last 40 days. He said that the State government had estimated the loss at ₹2,305 crore and sought ₹1,330 crore as immediate assistance from the Centre.
Director of Disaster Management Prasanna Venkatesh told Mr. Hansraj that the State government had received only ₹229 crore till date. Srikakulam Superintendent of Police CM Thrivikram Varma briefed the Union Minister about the role played by personnel in rescue and relief operations.
Several BJP leaders, including MLC PVN Madhav and party floor leader in Assembly P. Vishnukumar Raju, greeted Mr. Hansraj and drew his attention to ‘the pathetic condition’ of the Titli victims.
