Mammootty spurs Kerala into action on drought
trivandrum — Spurred by the lead taken by superstar Mammootty, the government of Kerala has swung into action to provide solace to people hit by the unprecedented rise in the temperature in the last few days.
An urgent meeting of concerned ministers and officials convened here on Thursday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy following the actor’s offer to mobilise aid to the victims of the vagaries of the weather has decided to approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the state as drought-hit.
Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash told reporters after the meeting that the state could not be declared drought-hit as per the current norms. Therefore, the chief minister would personally request the Prime Minister for financial assistance considering the gravity of the situation.
However, he said that the state government would not wait for the federal government’s assistance to provide relief to the victims. The government has already provided Rs130 million to district collectors to reach drinking water to the drought-hit areas with the help of various voluntary organizations.
The district collectors have also been asked to take steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people hit by heat wave. The meeting decided to provide Rs400,000 to the families of those who have died due to heat wave. The injured will be given free treatment. Workers who have been hit by heat wave will be provided free ration.
Mammootty had expressed his willingness to join the relief effort to the chief minister on Wednesday.
Mammootty said that he had realised the gravity of the heat wave while he was engaged in the shooting of his films. The actor said he was forced to cancel the shooting due to the high temperature. He said he could afford to cancel the shooting but the poor who toil in the field may starve if they do not work.
Though the chief minister expressed his government’s difficulty in involving in the activity due to the code of conduct on account of the election, he promised to lend the official machinery for carrying out the relief.
Mammootty has convened a meeting of like-minded people to discuss the prograamme. Several agencies and film personalities have come forward to cooperate with the effort. Mammootty said he will seek the help of the government in identifying the people who need help.