Survivors in dismay, minister assures complete rehabilitation

Kollam, Dec 26 (UNI) Three years after the tsunami tragedy, survivors in the affected areas in Kerala are still in dismay over the slow pace of rehabilitation works in the state, even as Revenue Minister K P Rajendran today promised to complete the rehabilitation works by April next.

Talking to newspersons after visiting the affected areas, he said the rehabilitation works had the full support of the Centre.

He said strict action would be taken against the officials, who issued confiscation notice to the tsunami victims.

Mr Rajendran said the construction of the houses could not be completed as some NGO's withdrew from the agreement made with the government for building the houses.

The land acquisition for the houses was complete and the works would begin soon.

Te worst-affected Arattupuzha in Kollam district observed the day as the ''deception day'' to protest the government's ''failure'' to fulfil the promises.

UNI