Church says 259 fishermen missing, CM Pinarayi Vijayan to meet Rajnath Singh today
The government told the meet that 38 persons died and 96 were missing as on Saturday.
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday to present the state’s demand for a special rehabilitation package to the families affected by cyclone Ockhi on the lines of the tsunami package. This was decided at an all-party meeting held here on Friday. The government told the meet that 38 persons died and 96 were missing as on Saturday. However, according to the Latin Archdioceses, the number of missing fishermen stood at 259 which includes 103 who went in small boats and 156 in big boats.
The all-party meet wanted a central package to ensure safety mechanism in coastal areas and for construction of houses for the fishers. All those who attended the meeting agreed that a financial package on the lines of tsunami rehabilitation package was needed. The meeting was attended by Cabinet ministers, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC president M. M. Hassan, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran, BJP leader O. Rajagopal, MLA, and senior leaders of JD (Secular), JDU (Veerendra- kumar), Congress (S), NCP, RSP and RSP(B).
It was based on the consensus reached at the meeting that the Chief Minister decided to meet Mr Singh who also handles Fisheries Department at the Centre.
The government decided to raise the compensation amount from Rs 20 lakh announced earlier to Rs 25 lakh by mobilising funds from different departments. The weekly financial assistance will be raised to Rs 2000.
The meeting decided to work together for the rehabilitation and relief activities and constitute a special fund to support the affected families. It urged the employees, political parties, organisations and establishments to donate liberally towards the fund. The government agreed to consider jobs for members of the families who lost their breadwinner. The dependants will be considered for employment in organisations like Matsyafed and other agencies under the fisheries department. The government will organise special counselling for the children in coastal areas who had to face the trauma. Special coaching will be given to students for the next annual examinations.
