Kerala floods: Centre releases Rs 600 cr as Kerala seeks Rs 2,600-cr special package

The Central government released Rs 600 crore relief fund for flood-affected Kerala on Monday. But the state government, after carrying out a detailed analysis of the devastating deluge, sought a Rs 2,600-crore special package from the Centre. The state sought relief fund after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a meeting of the state cabinet, and decided to seek a special package from the Centre under the Centrally-sponsored schemes.

In Delhi, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) chaired by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha held a meeting to evaluate the current flood scenario in Kerala and after releasing the relief fund to the state government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Rs 500 crore and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Rs 100 crore as relief fund.

Sinha said the situation on the ground are now improving by and large though there are some isolated pockets still under water. He also announced additional allocation of rice and pulses for the state.

"Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies have contributed Rs 25 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund in Kerala. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has opened special points in the flood-affected areas of the state for LPG distribution. The ministry has also made available 3.2 lakh LPG cylinders and 2.2 lakh regulators," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Also Railways has so far supplied 24 lakh litres of drinking water in addition to 2.7 lakh water bottles. Another 14 lakh litres water is currently available at Ernakulam. Railways has also made arrangements for supply of bed sheets and blankets. Trains on all sections have resumed. It is also transporting relief materials from various states to Kerala free of cost.

An Action Plan has been prepared for restoration of power supply in all the affected areas and 94 percent of telecom towers have been made functional. Power supply to telephone exchanges is being restored on priority.

"The Health Ministry will supply three crore chlorine tablets in addition to one crore tablets supplied earlier. 30 tonnes of bleaching powder and 1.76 lakh sanitary pads have also been sent. Additional quantities will also be sent in the next few days. No major outbreak of disease has been reported so far," the ministry said.

Further, the finance ministry has decided to waive off customs duty and IGST on the relief materials being imported to aid the people in the flood-affected areas in Kerala.

LIC ‘RELAX’ PLAN

• LIC has relaxed the claim settlement and documentation process for the flood victims in the deluge-ravaged Kerala, including waiving off death certificates and delayed premium payment fees.
   
• Meanwhile, rhe UIDAI has directed the Aadhaar enrolment agencies in Kerala to facilitate retrieval of the 12-digit number and provide free printouts to Aadhaar-holders who have lost document.