Thiruvananthapuram: An all-party meeting on Tuesday extended full support to the government for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities after the devastating floods.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the meeting that the government had demanded a special package from the Centre. He said training would be given to fishers as volunteers in rescue operations during disasters.
He said the process of enrolling them in the coastal police is in the last phase.
Engineering students will be involved in a big way for reconstruction and rebuilding of flood-affected districts.
He said that there was no bar on the citizens of foreign countries to contribute relief material except for food products. The relief camps will continue for those who left homeless.
Since schools could not continue as camps for an extended period, the government will make alternative arrangements.
Medicines are being provided as per the requirement in camps. Additional chief secretary - health Rajeev Sadanandan is coordinating medical camps and medical assistance.
The insurance companies have been asked to provide benefits without hassles to the flood-affected people.
The representatives of the insurance companies had responded positively during a meeting held with them. He said fund collection at the panchayat level would not be allowed and it would be appropriate for everyone to contribute to the chief minister’s distress relief fund directly.
Ministers E. Chandrasekharan, E.P. Jayarajan, Ramachandran Kadannappally, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, M.M. Hassan, Kanam Rajendran, P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, N.K. Premachandran and K.M. Mani, were among those who attended the meeting.
