Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has demanded a special package of ₹4,000 crore for the State in the wake of widespread damage. Since the agriculture sector of the State has been battered, all farm loans should be written off and the flood be declared a national calamity. This was the biggest flood to hit the State in the last five decades, he said.
Mr. Chennithala said millions were hit by the flood. Houses should be rebuilt for those who lost them and financial aid provided for repairing damaged ones, he said.
The families of those killed should be offered compensation. A package for supporting farmers who suffered crop loss should be declared. He said that the opening of dam shutters led to large-scale destruction along the riverbanks. Idukki, Wayanad, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts bore the brunt of the rain fury, he said.
For building seawall
He also sought modification of Central norms for releasing aid to the State. More personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force should be deployed in the State, he said. He sought a special package for rebuilding the seawall along the Kerala coast. Fishermen who cannot venture out into the sea should be supported, he said.
A month’s salary
Mr. Chennithala’s office said that he would contribute one month’s salary towards the Chief Minister’s relief fund.
