Kerala seeks Central assistance of Rs 250 crore

Thiruvananthapuram, July 23 (UNI) Kerala has sought an immediate assistance of Rs 250 crore from the Centre to provide relief to the people affected by recent floods triggered by heavy rains and to repair damaged village roads, Revenue Minister K P Rajendran told the state Assembly today.

Replying to a Calling Attention, he said the government had sanctioned Rs 15 crore out of arrears totalling Rs 93.80 to Contractors for undertaking repair of village roads. This was too inadequate and more funds would be released on getting the Central assistance, he added.

Replying to another Calling Attention, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Vijayakumar said arrangements would be made to dispose of applications received at the Pareeksha Bhavan on a fast track basis.

Responding to a submission, Mr Vijayakumar said steps had been taken on a war-footing to check the spread of mouth and foot disease in the city zoo, where four animals died recently.

The zoo, closed for the public since July eight, would be reopened tomorrow, he added.

UNI