The Hindu Business Line : Kerala to provide temporary housing for tsunami-affected

WITHIN a two-month period, the State Government will provide temporary housing to all those who have lost their homes in the tsunami and are living in relief camps, according to a official press release quoting the Kerala Revenue Minister, Mr K.M. Mani.

Work on this project will start immediately, the release said.

This decision was taken at a meeting of Government officials held in Kayamkulam on Saturday, the release said.

The meeting also decided that repairs will be carried out on houses that have suffered minor damages as a result of the tsunami. This process will be completed in two weeks, the release said.

As part of its three-stage rehabilitation process for the people affected by the tsunami, the Government will soon start building permanent housing for those whose houses have been completely destroyed. The idea is to rehabilitate those who have lost their homes in apartment complexes, the release said.

Various infrastructure facilities such as roads, water supply, communication facilities and so on in the affected villages will be re-established at the earliest, the release said. Compensation will soon be paid to fishermen who have lost their fishing equipment, the release added.

From January 6 onwards, the State Government will conduct an adalat to enable those who have lost various important documents to apply for duplicates, the release said. Officials from various departments will be available at the adalat.

In a related development, the State Government has asked the Collegiate Education Department and the Directorate of Technical Education to issue new certificates to all students who have lost their original certificates in the disaster. Officials from these departments have been directed to visit relief camps in the affected areas and collect applications from the students, according to an official press release.

Most of the usual formalities associated with the issue of certificates will be dispensed with, the release added. Measures will also be initiated to provide fresh textbooks and notebooks to students.

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