Centre releases `600 crore
NEW DELHI: The Central Government released Rs 600 crore for flood affected Kerala as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier here on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha met for the sixth time in a row on Tuesday to review the rescue and relief operations in the state.
The Chief Secretary of Kerala participated in the meeting via video conference and informed that the situation is now improving by and large though there are some isolated pockets still with water. Water levels are receding fast.
The Department of Food & Public Distribution has made additional allocation of 89,540 MT of rice as per State Government’s request.
The Department of Consumer Affairs, in addition to 100 MT of pulses supplied earlier, is sending additional quantities of green gram and Tur dal.
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. Permission has also been granted, in coordination with the State Government, for non-certified vehicles to carry LPG cylinders. The Ministry has also made available 3.2 lakh LPG cylinders and 2.2 lakh regulators.
The Railways have so far supplied 24 lakh litres of drink- ing water in addition to 2.7 lakh water bottles. Another 14 lakh litres water is currently available at Ernakulam. The 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. 94% of telecom towers have been made functional. Power supply to telephone exchanges is being restored on priority. The Health Ministry will supply 3 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.