Thiruvananthapuram: Minister claims Rs 128 crore spent on Ockhi relief

Thiruvananthapuram: On the occasion of Ockhi anniversary on Tuesday, fisheries minister J. Mercykutty Amma said that the state government had already spent Rs 128 crore on various relief activities.

The government has also evolved a Rs 2000 crore package for the comprehensive development of the fisheries sector in the budget.

The government has already allotted Rs 2.02 crore for 458 fishers who lost their houses in Ockhi and initiated steps for procuring three marine ambulances through the Cochin shipyard.

Of the total amount of Rs 18.24 crore required for the purpose, Rs 7.36 crore will be provided from the Ockhi fund. An amount of Rs 6.76 crore has been allotted for compensating the loss of fishing gear and Rs 6.10 crore for 40,000 life jackets. It has earmarked Rs 15.93 crore for providing gears for 15,000 fishers and Rs 9.62 crore for satellite phones for 1000.

She said the state government would form a 900-member sea protection squad with 300 fishing boats with an allocation of Rs 7.15 crore. The recruitment is continuing in districts.

As per central norms, if a house gets destroyed in the coastal area, the maximum financial assistance is Rs 95,000. In the case of fishing boats, the maximum financial aid is Rs 7500.

“It's insufficient,” she said. “Though the state submitted a Rs 7340 crore special package for Ockhi, the Union provided not a single paisa.”