KERALA FLOOD
The devastating floods in Kerala have left behind an impact that will take years to compensate for. In the meantime, the country seems to have together to enable Kerala to restore itself and begin leading a life of normalcy.
The New Leam Staff
The Centre government has released the fund of Rs 600 crore for the flood-hit state of Kerala and had announced the decision to waive customs duty and GST on the relief materials being imported for the affected people of the state. The central government has made up its mind to waive customs duty and the IGST put upon the relief materials that are being imported to help the people of Kerala.The announcements were made after a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC).
The central government initially offered an assistance of Rs 500 crore that was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an additional Rs 100 crore had been announced by Union home minister Rajnath Singh for work in the flood affected state Kerala. Officials stated that both the funds have been released to the government of Kerala.
The department of food and public distribution has made the additional allocation of 89,540 metric tonne (MT) of rice in accordance with the state government’s request. The department of consumer affairs, after having sent 100 MT of pulses is also sending additional quantities of lentils.
Public sector oil marketing companies have collectively contributed the sum of Rs 25 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in Kerala. The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has also initiated special points in the flood affected areas of the state for the purpose of LPG distribution.
The non-certified vehicles have also been given permission in coordination with the state authorities to carry LPG cylinders. The petroleum ministry has also made accessible for the people 3.2 lakh LPG cylinders and 2.2 lakh regulators.
The railways have also made an enormous contribution and they gave 24 lakh litres of drinking water in addition to 2.7 lakh water bottles. 14 lakh litres water are now available at Ernakulam. Railways have also ensured that there is a supply of bed sheets and blankets. It is also transporting relief materials from various states to Kerala free of cost.
An action plan is presently being made that the work for the restoration of power supply in all the affected areas is going on. Nearly 94% of telecom towers have been made functional. Power supply to telephone exchanges is being restored as a priority.
The health ministry has announced that it will supply more than three crore chlorine tablets in addition to one crore tablets that had been sent to Kerala earlier. It is also estimated that more than 30 tonnes of bleaching powder and 1.76 lakh sanitary pads have also been sent to the state. Additional quantities across the coming weeks. No major outbreak of disease has been reported so far from Kerala.
According to the requirements expressed by the state government essentials spices, salt, tea and coffee are also being sent to Kerala by the ministry of food processing industries.
