80 tonnes of pulses will be supplied daily

Central assistance of ₹600 crore was released to the Kerala government on Tuesday.This includes ₹500 crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ₹100 crore announced by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary P.K Sinha, was informed by the Kerala government that the situation was improving now but there were some isolated pockets still under water.

The Centre has also approved 89, 540 tonnes of additional grains for flood-hit Kerala. It has also started sending 80 tonnes of pulses (dals) every day to the State. This is in addition to the 100 MT of pulses supplied earlier.

The decision came in response to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting 1.18 lakh tonnes of foodgrains.

“The centre, under the National Food Security Act, already provides Kerala 1.18 lakh tonnes of food grains, which we shall continue giving. In addition to it, we have decided to provide 89,540 tonnes of food grains to the State to extend the coverage to entire State,” Union Food Minister Ramvilas Paswan said here on Tuesday.

For now, the State does not have to foot the bill, Mr Paswan said. “We will discuss it later with Home Ministry and the State government of Kerala once the situation stablises,” he said.

“As per the provisions, we can extend this special assistance for 90 days. We will take a call later as per the ground assessment,” Mr. Paswan added.

Water via Railways

“Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies have contributed ₹25 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in Kerala. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has opened special points in the flood affected areas of the state for LPG distribution. Permission has also been granted, in coordination with the State Government, for non-certified vehicles to carry LPG cylinders. The Ministry has also made available 3.2 lakh LPG cylinders and 2.2 lakh regulators,” a statement by the Home Ministry said.

The Railways have so far supplied 24 lakh litres of drinking water in addition to 2.7 lakh water bottles. Another 14 lakh litres water is currently available at Ernakulam. Railways has also made arrangements for supply of bed sheets and blankets. Trains on all sections have resumed. It is also transporting relief materials from various States to Kerala free of cost, the statement said.

The Health Ministry will supply three crore chlorine tablets in addition to one crore tablets supplied earlier. Thirty tonnes of bleaching powder and 1.76 lakh sanitary pads have also been sent. Additional quantities will also be sent in the next few days. No major outbreak of disease has been reported so far.

As per the State government’s requirement, essential spices, salt, tea and coffee are also being supplied by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.