Centre to provide additional 89,540 tonnes of food grains to Kerala ## Centre to provide additional 89,540 tonnes of food grains to Kerala

The central government has decided to send an additional 89,540 tonnes of food grains to the flood-battered Kerala, Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday.

Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) scheme, Kerala gets 1,18,000 tonnes of food grains per month but it does not cover the entire population.

"We want food grains to reach every person in the state. So, we are sending additional 89,540 tonnes. In addition, we have sent 100 tonnes of pulses, with 80 tonnes to be supplied daily henceforth," Paswan told reporters here.

Under the NFSA, 75 per cent of the rural population and up to 50 percent of the urban population receive subsidised food grains -- 5 kg per person per month at Rs 3, Rs 2, Re 1 per kg of rice, wheat, and coarse grains respectively.

Paswan said that the Ministry had not decided on who would incur the expenses on the supply of additional food grains.

"It is in the initial stage. The issue of who pays the bill is not a matter of concern now. The food grain supply can be done for three months," Paswan said.

The central government will provide as much help as possible to Kerala, he added.

Aug 21, 2018 11:00 PM

Baby food needed in Kerala camps, Minister tells industry ## Baby food needed in Kerala camps, Minister tells industry

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal held a meeting with representatives of food-processing industry and informed them about the immediate need for baby food in Kerala relief camps, official sources said on Tuesday.

Badal held a meeting with industry leaders on Monday to plan a strategy for assistance for the flood-affected people in Kerala. The meeting was attended by representatives from ITC, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, MTR, Nestle, Britannia, and Marico.

"It is time to work as a cohesive unit and make a coordinated effort to help the people of Kerala, instead of separate entities making individual efforts," an official release quoted Badal as saying.

The contribution from the industry includes packaged drinking water, biscuits, buns, Maggi, packed juices, oats, chocolate bars, sanitary products, milk powder, and wheat products.

Aug 21, 2018 10:54 PM

NCP announces Rs 1 crore aid for flood-hit Kerala ## NCP announces Rs 1 crore aid for flood-hit Kerala

The Nationalist Congress Party announced a financial aid of Rs 1 crore today for the flood-ravaged Kerala, apart from medicines and other materials it has donated for the relief work.

Announcing the aid, Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil demanded that the Centre declare the unprecedented floods a national disaster, and increase the financial assistance it has declared for the southern state.

Aug 21, 2018 10:33 PM

Local boatmen the heroes of flood rescues in Kerala ## Local boatmen the heroes of flood rescues in Kerala

Divya G. clung to a floating banana plant, then used a rope to pull herself to safety through neck-deep water as floods inundated her home in Kerala. After more than a day camped with her family on the upper floor of her neighbours' two-storey house, they were spotted by a fishing boat and rescued.

"We saw a boat coming down our lane and all of us started screaming for help," said Divya, 32, from Chengannur, one of the areas hit hardest by flooding in Kerala state last week. "The boatmen helped us into the boats and brought us to the relief camps."

The worst floods in a century in Kerala have killed hundreds of people, left dozens missing and about a million sheltering in temporary camps. Thousands of army, navy and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed in the rescue efforts.

More than a dozen rescue officials, flood victims and others who spoke to Reuters said the unsung heroes of the massive relief operation were fishermen and other local people with boats, who volunteered to help rescue tens of thousands of stranded people, often long before official rescue teams could arrive.

"They were in tears when we saved their lives. They treated us like God," said fisherman Stephen Pallithottam, one of hundreds of local boatmen who joined the rescue mission in the Chengannur area. "They touched our feet and said they will never forget us in their lives."

Mohamed Ansheed, whose family was rescued in Malappuram district, some 170 km (105 miles) from Kerala's financial hub Kochi, said he was deeply indebted to the fishermen.

Ansheed also witnessed one rescue in which a local fisherman went on all fours in knee-deep waters, offering his back for women to step on to climb into a rescue boat. Images taken at the scene went viral on social media.

"I will never forget that day. They helped a lot of people," said Ansheed, adding that while NDRF teams had to halt their own rescue missions at sundown for safety reasons, local fishermen worked into the night with headlamps and rudimentary tools.

Many survivors interviewed by Reuters at a Chengannur relief camp recounted harrowing tales of fast-rising floodwaters on the night of Aug. 15.

"It was as if water levels were rising by a foot every five minutes. Even standing on tables or chairs was pointless," said M. Sneha, 20, who was rescued by boatmen that night.

Aug 21, 2018 8:41 PM

Over 24,000 people rescued in Kerala, says NDRF ## Over 24,000 people rescued in Kerala, says NDRF

Over 24,000 people have been evacuated till now from the flood affected regions of Kerala till now even as 41 NDRF teams are still undertaking relief and rescue operations in the state, a force spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Flood waters were receding in most of the affected areas and there are no alerts for heavy rainfall for the next few days.

"The force has rescued 535 people and evacuated 24,616 marooned people to safer places. 119 animals were also evacuated and pre-hospital treatment was provided to 4,908 people till now," he said.

At least 41 teams of the federal disaster contingency force are still deployed in Kerala to assist the state administration in rescue, relief and rehabilitation work and to respond in case of any eventuality, the spokesperson said.

A National Disaster Response Force team has about 35-40 personnel.

An estimated 223 people have lost their lives since August 8 in Kerala's worst floods in nearly a century which also forced more than 10 lakh people out of their homes.

Aug 21, 2018 7:33 PM

UP hands over Rs 15-crore draft for flood relief work in Kerala ## UP hands over Rs 15-crore draft for flood relief work in Kerala

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday handed over a bank draft of Rs 15 crore to a representative of the Kerala government as its contribution for relief work in the flood-ravaged state, a government spokesman said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had last week announced a sum of Rs 15 crore as Uttar Pradesh's donation to the coastal state which has been devastated by unprecedented floods triggered by heavy rains.

On Tuesday, Additional Resident Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh Dhanalaxmi K. handed over the bank draft for the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund to Kerala Resident Commissioner Puneet Kumar, at Kerala Bhawan in the national capital.

The Kerala official extended gratitude on behalf of his government for the donation, which he added would go a long way in helping the flood-hit people of the state. Other than this, the UP government has also pledged relief materials including medicines for Kerala.

Vehicles carrying this relief material was to be flagged off by Adityanath from his official residence on Tuesday but has since been put off citing "unforeseen reasons".

Aug 21, 2018 7:19 PM

Reliance Foundation donates Rs 21 crore to flood-hit Kerala ## Reliance Foundation donates Rs 21 crore to flood-hit Kerala

Reliance Foundation today announced a donation of Rs 21 crore to Chief Minister's relief fund and also donates relief material worth close to Rs 50 crore to help the affected people in Kerala.

Reliance Foundation in its statement said that the company has been carrying out rescue and relief operations in the six affected districts of Ernakulam, Wayanad, Alappuzuha, Thrissur, Idukki and Pathanamthitta by providing updates on weather and locations of temporary shelters via Reliance Foundation Information Services (RFIS).

It has identified 15,000 affected families who would be provided dry ration kits, utensils, shelter, shoes and clothes in the coming days.

The company said that ready-to-eat food, glucose and sanitary napkins have been provided to 160 government-run relief camps,sheltering about 50,000 people.

Nita M. Ambani, Chairperson, Reliance Foundation said: “In this time of acute distress faced by our brothers and sisters in Kerala, we feel duty-bound as fellow citizens and as a responsible corporate foundation to fully support the rescue, relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts in the State."

"On its part, Reliance Foundation will contribute Rs 21 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The foundation stands firmly with the people of Kerala in this hour of need. It will remain committed to its relief and rehabilitation efforts and continue its operations in Kerala until normalcy is restored in the state," she added.

Disclosure: Network18, the parent company of CNBCTV18.com, is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

Aug 21, 2018 7:14 PM

Kerala mulling 10% cess on GST, introduction of special lottery ## Kerala mulling 10% cess on GST, introduction of special lottery

As Kerala struggles to raise resources for rehabilitation in the wake of devastating floods, the state government today demanded that it should be allowed to impose a 10 percent cess on the GST and also introduce a special lottery.

This decision was taken at a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here today.

The flood-ravaged state has asked for the GST council's permission to introduce 10 per cent cess on the GST as part of its efforts to mobilise more resources for rehabilitation, besides planning to introduce a special lottery, a government press release said.

The Cabinet also decided to accept the materials supplied by individuals and voluntary organisations outside the state and distribute the same in relief camps.

In view of the flood situation, all plantation workers will be given 50 kg of free ration.

Fire department personnel, police and revenue officials as also fishermen who took part in the rescue operations will be given a certificate of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority in recognition of their services, it said.

The devastating deluge has left 223 dead and over 10 lakh people homeless over the last fortnight.

Aug 21, 2018 7:03 PM

Bajaj Auto announces Rs 2 crore contribution for Kerala flood relief ## Bajaj Auto announces Rs 2 crore contribution for Kerala flood relief

Bajaj Auto today announced contribution of Rs 2 crore in aid of flood-hit Kerala.

While Rs 1 crore is being contributed directly to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, the balance Rs 1 crore will be deployed by Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha (JBGVS), for distribution of survival kits, the company said in a statement.

The contribution is in addition to the Rs 50 lakh already contributed by various Bajaj Trusts, it added.

JBGVS is an institution that undertakes various corporate social responsibility initiatives of Bajaj Auto.

"Through this amount, Bajaj Auto aims to support at least 1,000 families with a basic startup kit for those who have been affected by the floods," the statement said.

Bajaj Auto President (Intra-city Business) RC Maheshwari said, "We at Bajaj Auto are extending our support through our dealerships in the state to aid the relief operations and to bring some respite to the victims of this unforeseen natural calamity."

The survival kits, including water filter, tarpaulin sheets, kitchen set with basic items, plastic sleeping mats, blankets and towels, will be supplied through various Bajaj Auto commercial vehicle dealerships and NGOs specialising in relief and rehabilitation, it said.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) and TVS Motor Company too have announced contribution of Rs 1 crore each to the state Chief Minister relief fund.

Other companies such as Tata Motors, Nissan India and BWM have also announced service support to customers in the state.

Aug 21, 2018 6:54 PM

Flight operations from Kochi airport expected to begin from Aug 26 ## Flight operations from Kochi airport expected to begin from Aug 26

Flight operations from the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which has suffered an estimated loss of over Rs 220 crore due to floods, are expected to resume from August 26, airport officials said here today.

The airport, which is among the busiest in the country, had been rendered non-functional since August 14 due to flooding and torrential rains.

"We have been striving hard to settle the issues pertaining to Kochi Airport due to floods. We hope that we can resume operations on August 26 as announced earlier," a CIAL spokesman said.

He said the water on the runway, taxiway and parking bays has completely receded.

The runway needs some milling work which would be completed within two days.

"To ensure utmost safety, all runway lights (almost 800 of them) have to be removed, tested and refitted," he said.

The CIAL management has launched rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure including 2.6 km long airport walls that collapsed after Periyar river overflowed.

"We have lost almost 2,600 metres of the wall. The re-construction work has already been started. Parallel to this, we are erecting ready-to-use structures, as per security norms, to meet with the deadline," the spokesman said.

Airport officials said the runway, taxi bay, duty free shops and other areas of international and domestic terminals were submerged, causing damage to electrical equipments including runway lights.

The solar power system of the world's first solar powered airport has also suffered damage in the floods, they said.

"We have launched efforts on a war-footing effort to rebuild the damaged infrastructure.

"Our initial assessment is that we have suffered an estimated loss of Rs 220 crores in the floods," an official said adding around 200 workers have been engaged to clean up the terminal building.

Meanwhile, the Naval Air Station, INS Garuda, has commenced civil aircraft operations from yesterday.

Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, was able to operate two flights to Bangalore and one flight to Coimbatore.

Aug 21, 2018 6:23 PM

Crocodile, snakes take over Kerala's flooded homes ## Crocodile, snakes take over Kerala's flooded homes

People returning to their flood-battered homes in Kerala from relief camps were are being greeted by snakes and other reptiles and insects.

At Chalakudy in Thrissur district, a man who returned on Monday night to check the condition of his house was stunned to see a new occupant -- a crocodile.

Taken aback, he and his neighbours quickly caught the crocodile and bound it with ropes.

Thrissur is one of the most affected districts -- the others being Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Malappuram and Wayanad -- in the worst flooding in the state in nearly a century.

The disaster has killed some 370 people, left over a million people homeless and caused unprecedented destruction to both private and public property.

Mustafa, a snake catcher, is a busy man in Malappuram. Since the waters began to recede in the past two days, he has caught over 100 snakes from homes.

"It's quite natural that when floods come, snakes come with it and so do other insects from overflowing ponds and rivers. People who return to clean up their homes should be careful and not put their hands into shoes, under cracked tiles or in wet firewood," he said.

A hospital in Angamaly in Ernakuam district is treating 52 persons for snakebites.

Reports from Pathanamthitta said that several people who came to clean their homes fled after seeing the snakes.

The Kerala government has announced that adequate anti-venom drugs have been provided at all the affected places.

Aug 21, 2018 6:14 PM

Kerala deluge: LIC relaxes claim settlement process ## Kerala deluge: LIC relaxes claim settlement process

State-run Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has relaxed the claim settlement and documentation process for the flood victims in the deluge-ravaged Kerala, including waiving off death certificates and delayed premium payment fees.

The rain fury, the worst since 1924, began on August 8 and has left 223 dead as of today and forced over one million out of their homes. Between August 8 and 18, the state received almost four times more rainfall than the normal.

Since the beginning of the monsoon season late May, more than 370 people have lost their lives.

Most of the casualties happened in the rich central Kerala districts and still rescue operations are on in the central district of Pathanamthitta where tens of thousands are still marooned.

Announcing a slew of measures to ease the claim settlement process, LIC in a statement today said, "Our zone, division and branch authorities are in full alert and in touch with state and district authorities for settlement of claims reported due to the deluge."

The measures include removing the otherwise mandatory submission of the death certificate.

"LIC will accept a certificate from any authorised government official or a proof that the claimant has received ex-gratia from government as alternate proof of death. In deserving cases, a certificate issued by the agent concerned will also suffice, subject to certain conditions or a confirmed development officer can also certify the death," the national insurer said.

Accordingly, the corporation has also done away claim investigation irrespective of the duration of the policy. It has also waived off the late fee on premium due for 30 days from the date of declaration of calamity.

The corporation is also working with partner banks for expeditiously settling the claims coming under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.

It will also set up special help desks at divisional and branch offices to respond to policy enquiries and assist in expeditious settlement of claim for which instructions have already been issued.

"A special task force has been created to ensure that concessions and benefits are reaching the needy policyholders," it said, adding the corporation also appointed nodal officers for each of the 14 districts and also for Mahe for the public to seek support.

Aug 21, 2018 6:10 PM

Kerala Police take over relief camps ## Kerala Police take over relief camps

The Kerala Police on Tuesday took over the security of all the relief camps in the flood-battered state, police chief Loknath Behra said.

Over a million people are now housed in more than 3,000 relief camps that have been set up across the state. The maximum number of people are in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts.

"As part of the security arrangements due to the presence of a huge number of women and children, there will be strict screening of people who visit the camps," Behra told the media.

Behra also said that appropriate action would be taken against all traders who jack up prices of essential commodities. Several complaints have started to come in.

"There will be no leniency shown to such people and those who engage in spreading fake messages and news. Already a few are behind the bars."

He said the Kerala Police will donate Rs 10 crore for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

Aug 21, 2018 4:55 PM

GST, Custom duty on relief material coming from overseas waived: Piyush Goyal##GST, Custom duty on relief material coming from overseas waived: Piyush Goyal

Aug 21, 2018 3:52 PM

Kerala to demand Rs 2600 crore MGNREGA special package##Kerala to demand Rs 2600 crore MGNREGA special package

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that the state cabinet has decided to submit to the Centre a comprehensive plan that will enable the rehabilitation of the affected people and the rebuilding of Kerala. “Our aim is not merely a restoration of the State to pre-flood times but the creation of a new Kerala,” he said in a tweet.

Stressing on the need to mobilize resources in a big way to meet the reconstruction demands, Kerala will demand Centre to raise the ceiling on borrowing for the state to 4.5 percent of the GDP, which is pegged at 3 percent now. This will help to raise an additional Rs 10,500 crore from the market.

The state will request NABARD for a special scheme to implement long-term projects for infrastructure development in agriculture, irrigation and associated areas and social sectors. Stressing that Kerala needs a special package for Central schemes, Vijayan said that the State will demand Centre for a Rs 2600 crore MGNREGA special package.

The chief minister also said that he will request the governor to call a special session of the assembly on August 30 to discuss on relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Regarding bank loans in the flood affected areas, Vijayan announced a moratorium that will be applicable to both commercial and cooperative banks. The CM also said that the behavior of some private financial institutions is disturbing, while pointing out that some have even approached people living in relief camps for collecting interests. Such appalling practices must be stopped.

Aug 21, 2018 3:08 PM

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