Thiruvananthapuram: Congress Working Committee member Oommen Chandy has demanded a comprehensive master plan and the setting up of a task force to rehabilitate people in the aftermath of recurrent calamities.
Mr Chandy presented a draft for the rehabilitation after visiting, along with other UDF leaders, survivors of floods and landslides in Kottayam and Idukki.
He wanted the Revenue Department to run all relief camps directly. Camps in Idukki and Malappuram were being sustained by contributions and services of different non-government organisations although there are clear-cut orders for Government spend for such camps.
The government should immediately take a decision to retain camps in certain places because many people had lost their homes and camps, functioning in schools, could not go on forever because classes must resume. The government should set up permanent shelters in select areas with the Centre's assistance.
Although the government had announced families free reaction and Rs 3,800 each decided to give all calamity-hit, the aid had reached only very few people. The vast majority are not even aware of the government's relief measures. This has to be ensured a monitoring mechanism.
Revenue officials should urgently assess the damage to houses and determine funds for clean-up and repairs. They should identify such houses and distribute Rs 4 lakh announced by the government.
The offer of Rs 10 lakh to all those who had lost land and homes might not be acceptable in cases of extensive loss.
The government should make available public property or even purchase private property to compensate the landless.
