Fund-raisers held in various parts of Alappuzha

In view of the recent floods, there is a need to create public awareness of the need to protect environment, Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran has said.

He was inaugurating a campaign to raise funds for the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) at the Ambalappuzha K.K. Kunjupillai Memorial Higher Secondary School on Sunday.

“We need to create civic sense among the people and give due regard to the environment. All panchayats, including those in Kuttanad, should ensure that environmental laws are enforced. We need to protect canals and streams. They should be deepened for smooth flow of water,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.

The Minister said that the importance given to cash crops had backfired.

“The floods washed away everything. ₹10,000 crore is needed for the restoration of roads in the State. We need to rebuild schools, anganwadis, and houses. The fundraising events held at Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, Kuttanad, and the Ambalapuzha Assembly constituencies received good response,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman said that the State government was committed to rebuilding the flood-ravaged State.

₹7.64 crore on a day

At the event, the Alappuzha district panchayat handed over its contribution of ₹1 crore to the CMDRF.

The San Antonio United Malayalee Association (SUMA) has donated $1.05 lakh (₹75 lakh approximately).

A fundraising event was also held at the Alappuzha Girls Higher Secondary School.

A total of ₹7.64 crore was collected from the Ambalappuzha constituency on Sunday.

Contributions

The fund-raisers held at Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, and Kuttanad were able to raise ₹1.82 crore, ₹1.75 crore and ₹29.79 lakh respectively.

Kuttanad MLA Thomas Chandy donated ₹1 crore to the CMDRF.

District panchayat president G. Venugopal, special officer P. Venugopal, District panchayat vice president Daleema Jojo, District Collector (in-charge) N. Padmakumar, and Ambalappuzha block panchayat president Prajith K. spoke at the function.