Kerala seeks ₹991-cr drought relief package

Venkatesan R Updated - January 13, 2018 at 12:54 AM.

With parts of the state facing severe drought, the Kerala government today decided to seek special relief of ₹991.54 crore from the Centre to tide over the situation.

“The state will submit a memorandum seeking an assistance of ₹991.54 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund to face the drought situation in the state,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here. He said the Cabinet had discussed the drought situation and resolved to speed up relief work.

Vijayan said an all-party meeting, which discussed the situation today, also decided to approach the Centre to seek assistance.

As part of steps to check drought conditions in several parts of the state, it was decided to provide drinking water in tankers, apart from setting up drinking water kiosks, Vijayan said.

Steps will also be taken to clean and rejuvenate wells and ponds as part of the ‘Haritha Keralam’ project.

Published on February 22, 2017 14:16