With the State Assembly scheduled to discuss the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address from Monday, the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) is gearing up for a major confrontation with the State government over the utilisation of flood relief funds.
Flood relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction are sure to be the most spoken about and the wrangle would be over the figures. According to official figures, the State government had received applications from 7,457 families for reconstruction of houses in their own land. Of this, 6,594 families were given the first instalment of the promised ₹4 lakh. Those living in the high ranges were given ₹95,100 each and those living in the plains were given ₹1,01,900 each as the first instalment. The rest of the amount will be given in two instalments.
Out of the 2,43,690 houses that were damaged, 57,067 persons were provided assistance. The State government also opened 81 help centres at the block and municipality levels.
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At the initiative of the Chief Minister, the Cabinet approved the formation of Rebuild Kerala Initiative to take up the task of reconstruction in the post-flood period. The Treasury Bench will bank on the figures related to delivery of financial assistance and attempts will be made to mobilise funds through various sources, including Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
The Opposition UDF will marshal its facts and figures on the basis of the large number of complaints it received. The Opposition will try to corner the State government on the utilisation of funds.
The State government has received ₹3,226.36 crore as contribution to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund till Sunday. The total expenditure has been ₹1,772 crore. Most of the applications received by the UDF Opposition related to non-receipt of the promised ₹10,000 for every family to restart their life, assistance for rebuilding, and repairing houses.
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