August 18, 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a financial assistance of 500 crore rupees to the flood-affected Kerala.
The assistance is in addition to 100 crore rupees announced by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh last week.
Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees per person to the next kin of the deceased and 50 thousand rupees to those seriously injured from Prime Minister’s National Relief Funds.
Mr Modi assured the Kerala government that relief materials including foodgrains and medicines will be provided, as requested by the state.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister said, NDRF teams, companies of BSF, CISF and RAF are deployed in the state for rescue and relief operations.
He said, the Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard are assisting operations in different parts of Kerala. Mr Modi said, rescuing those who are trapped remains the topmost priority.
He said, the Central Government is ensuring that the benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, MGNREGA, various social security schemes, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture reach those affected on a priority basis in Kerala.
Prime Minister has directed Insurance Companies to hold special camps for assessment and timely release of compensation to the affected families and beneficiaries under Social Security Schemes.
The directions have also been issued for early clearance of claims under Fasal Bima Yojna to agriculturists.
After the review meeting, Prime Minister made an aerial assessment of the damages caused due to floods in some of the affected areas of Kerala.
During the aerial survey, Mr Modi was accompanied by the Governor, the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister K.J. Alphons and officials of the state government.
The Prime Minister expressed his grief and sorrow on the unfortunate deaths and damage caused to lives and property due to floods.
Prime Minister also directed National Highways Authority of India to repair the main national highways damaged due to floods on priority.
The Central Public Sector like NTPC and PGCIL have also been directed to be available to render all possible assistance to the State Government in restoring power lines.
Villagers, whose kutcha houses have been destroyed in the devastating floods, will be provided Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin houses on priority.
An official release said, the flood situation in Kerala has been continuously and closely monitored by the Union Government. It said, all help is being provided to the State Government to deal with the adverse situation.
The Prime Minister has been in constant touch with the Chief Minister regarding the flood situation.
The Prime Minister returned to New Delhi after the aerial survey. (AIR News)
