Tsunami affected families to benefit from Rs 16 cr package

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 18 (UNI) Tsunami affected families, especially children in Kerala, will receive Rs 16 crore during the second anniversary of the killer waves that claimed about 200 lives in the state.

The state government had initiated various projects for the tsunami-affected people and these projects, aimed especially at women and children, would be implemented during the second anniversary of the tidal tragedy, State Revenue Minister K P Rajendran told newspersons here.

As part of the benefit, the government had decided to deposit Rs 51,000 each for the 53 orphaned children and they would get Rs 300 per month till the age of 18, he added.

The Centre had sanctioned Rs 16 crore for the various projects submitted by the state and the amount would be released from the Prime Minister's Tsunami Relief Fund, he said and added the government had also asked for an additional Rs four crore.

A special scholarship scheme of Rs 300 each for all the children affected by tsunami was also part of the project, Mr Rajendran said and added this would benefit about 18,067 children in nine districts.

He said the 1,8,364 affected families in the nine districts would be covered under an insurance scheme and the government would be paying a premium of Rs 540 for each family. ''This will cover all illness and the government had tied up with United Insurance for this,'' he said.

Apart from this, Mr Rajendran said ''Career Pattern Classes'' would be established in the affected areas for guiding the children for higher studies or for choosing some employement. A counseling centre would be built in the region and it was expected to cost Rs nine lakh, he added.

A memorial for those killed in the December 26 waves would be built at Alappat panchayat, which saw the largest death toll, he said and added that food and Civil Supplies Minister C Diwakaran would lay the foundation stone.

Chief Minister V S Achutanandan would inaugurate the distribution of relief measures at Alappat on December 26, Mr Rajendran said.

Blaming certain NGO's for not building the houses they had promised in the tsunami affected areas, he said '' Certain NGO's had come here and were so eager to take up projects. But later nothing was known of these NGOs. Some of the NGOs had even got foreign funds by showcasing the tsunami victims. The government will inquire about the funding, even from foreign agencies and also about the money they received and that was spent,'' he added.

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