State’s disaster management machinery will be strengthened, says Chief Minister

Stung by criticism over its handling of the crisis triggered by cyclone Ockhi, the government on Wednesday announced major sops for the stricken coastal communities and decided to revamp the disaster management mechanism in the State.

Briefing the media after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the ex gratia for the families of the fishermen killed in the cyclone havoc would be enhanced to Rs. 20 lakh. This includes the assistance of Rs. 10 lakh declared earlier and Rs. 5 lakh each from the Fisheries Department and the Fishermen's Welfare Fund Board.

Assistance for injured

The assistance for injured fishermen would be increased to Rs. 5 lakh. In addition, the Cabinet resolved to provide a subsistence allowance for one week for the families of fishermen who could not go out to sea.

Adults would be eligible for a daily allowance of Rs. 60 and children Rs. 45. The government decided to compensate fishermen who had lost their boats and fishing equipment. Children of the dead or missing fishermen would be given free education and vocational training.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, and Principal Secretary, Fisheries, would be asked to recommend a revision of the benefits announced for the stricken families.

Plea for special package

Mr. Vijayan said the State would urge the Centre to declare a national disaster in Kerala and announce a special package for reconstruction activities. The government would provide assistance to repair damaged sea walls, reconstruct houses, and compensate for crop damage.

Mr. Vijayan said the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) would be reconstituted and steps would be taken to create a State Disaster Response Force. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Thiruvananthapuram would be strengthened with a regional unit in Ernakulam and district-level SEOCs involving representatives of stakeholder departments.

The Cabinet decided to strengthen the coastal police and provide it with modern equipment and boats to carry out search and rescue operations in sea.

The meeting approved a special recruitment drive for the coastal police. As many as 200 persons from fishermen families would be recruited into the force, with priority for the children of the fishers who had gone missing.

The Chief Minister said all fishermen would be required to register with the Fisheries Department and have GPS equipment fitted on their boats to ensure safety in sea. The Cabinet approved a committee headed by former DGP Ramon Srivastava to recommend a disaster management plan.

It was decided to despatch a medical team to the Lakshadweep islands that were battered by the cyclone.

200 persons from fishermen families will be recruited into coastal police.

Pinarayi Vijayan

Chief Minister