Kerala proposes massive housing scheme for fishermen

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Kerala has sought an assistance of Rs 991.50 crore to implement a scheme providing permanent relief to families living in places identified as prone to flood, drought, cyclone, sea erosion and landslides.

The state government has submitted to the Union Home Ministry a detailed "Relief Scheme" proposed to be implemented in five years.

State Revenue Minister K P Rajendran told mediapersons that a major component of the proposed relief scheme was construction of 12,000 permanent houses, each unit costing Rs 2.5 lakh, for the rehabilitation of the fishermen whose houses were damaged in natural calamities like sea erosion. An expenditure of Rs 300 crore was expected for the construction of such coastal houses. Another Rs 44 crore was estimated for the purchase of land.

Another component of the scheme was construction of 5,000 houses for those who are living on the banks of rivers at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

Mr Rajendran said he met Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and sought early release of flood relief for Kerala where a central team had visited last month to assess the damages caused by heavy rains during the monsoon.

A total of Rs 42 crore had been spent by the state government to provide relief to flood victims.

He said the Disaster Management Authority would be constituted in Kerala in October this year. A Disaster Management Institute would also be set up.

UNI SH SB BD1849