Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress has come out in support of the call given by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the efforts to rebuild Kerala, battered by the floods. Senior party leader A.K. Antony and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala have assured the opposition's support to the government's efforts even while pointing out lapses.
Mr. Chennithala, who wanted the government to ensure clarity in extending financial assistance, also demanded that the loans of the flood-hit farmers be waived. He urged the state government to pressure the Centre into accepting assistance from foreign nations on relief activities.
Mr Chennithala had extended full support to the government when the state was being lashed by heavy rains but later demanded that there be a judicial inquiry into the 'lapses' in the management of dams. He said the government should ensure that financial assistance was given not only to those who live in relief camps but also to those who took shelter at houses of relatives and friends.
Mr Antony is quoted as saying that he fully endorsed the call extended by the Chief Minister to build a new Kerala and that was happy with the way the government was running the relief camps.
Most people have welcomed the call for the salaried class to donate one month's salary, he said. "People are happy in the camps but are worried about what awaits them once they go back home," he said.
The government should extend financial aid to them so that they can survive till they start earning again. He also congratulated the government for completing the rescue operations in a proper way.
