Kerala floods: Real test begins once waters recede as state would have to battle ravaged economy, threat of epidemics
FirstpostResources that the tiny state of Kerala can mobilise are very limited. Following Home Minister Rajnath Singh and a central team’s visit to the flood-ravaged state, an interim relief of Rs 100 crore was promised as against Rs 1,220 crore demanded by the state. A statement issued by the Union home ministry in response to Kerala government’s demand for assistance said that the first charge of relief expenditure is on SDRF, and in cases of calamities of a severe nature, it is supplemented from the National Disaster Relief Fund as per established procedure. The ministry statement said that in the instant case, based on a preliminary memorandum submitted by the Kerala government for additional assistance of Rs 831.10 crore the IMCT was constituted immediately on 25 July. Though enough funds were available in the SDRF, the Union home minister has announced release of Rs 100 crore in advance from the NDRF to help the state in providing relief measures to the affected people, the ministry claimed.