The Hindu Business Line : Cabinet clears Andaman & Nicobar relief package

THE Union Cabinet on Thursday has approved a relief-and-rehabilitation package worth Rs 821.88 crore for the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It also gave its nod to increase the subsidy component for fishermen from 35 per cent to 50 per cent, at an additional outgo of Rs 91.13 crore.

A proposal to construct 10,100 intermediate shelters for tsunami-affected families in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands also received Cabinet clearance. This would cost Rs 96.33 crore.

An official spokesperson said the package would supplement the Union Territory's efforts to carry out relief-and-rehabilitation measures in the affected areas and provide support to orphans, widows, disabled and unmarried girls. It would also help the affected farmers and fishermen restart normal activities.

Besides helping the Andaman and Nicobar Island administration to start normal functioning in all tsunami-affected islands, the package would act as an incentive for fishermen to opt for motorised boats and increase their income.

The package includes immediate relief and response assistance for Rs 313.39 crore, immediate assistance for relief, intermediate (temporary) housing and relief employment generation for Rs 215.65 crore, special package for the fishery sector for Rs 15.01 crore, special package for revival of agriculture costing Rs 239.54 crore, and special package for immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure of the Andaman and Nicobar administration for Rs 29.89 crore.

An amount of Rs 8.60 crore has also been allocated for rehabilitation of orphans, widows, disabled and unmarried girls. The immediate relief and response assistance for Rs 313.19 crore is being granted as per the calamity relief fund (CRF)/national calamity contingency fund (NCCF) norms.

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