Central team to submit report in a week; state will seek special package

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Central delegation that toured flood-hit areas to assess the damage will submit its report to the Union government in a week’s time, team leader B R Sharma informed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The delegation, which toured 12 districts, met the Chief Minister here on Monday. Home ministry special secretary Sharma lauded the prompt and timely rescue and relief effort launched by the state government during and after the unexpected floods. The state was able to take effective action to clean flood-hit structures, including houses, with the public’s participation, he said.

Sharma said he was surprised by the fact that the public did not raise any complaints regarding rescue operations or the facilities provided at relief camps. The Central delegation had split into four teams to tour flood-hit regions. The teams collected details by visiting the worst-affected areas and also interacting with locals.

The government is preparing a memorandum requesting a special package from the Centre for rebuilding Kerala, Chief Secretary Tom Jose informed the Central team.

Chief Minister to meet Prime Minister on Tuesday

State government will request the Central Government to approve a special package for the rebuilding of flood-ravaged Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who will meet the Prime Minister on Tuesday, will raise this demand during the meeting. The details of the package will be submitted to the Centre soon, which is hoped to convince them about the range and depth of the damage. The state government has already asked the Centre to raise the debt limit and it will be raised before the Prime Minister also.