Centre today released the 600 crore rupees assistance to flood affected Kerala as announced. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the assistance of 500 crore rupees and 100 crore rupees assistance was announced by Home Minister Rajnath Singh for the state.
The National Crisis Management Committee met for the sixth time in a row today to review the rescue and relief operations in the state. Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha chaired the meeting in which state Chief Secretary participated via video conference and informed that the situation is now improving by and large though there are some isolated pockets still under water. The water levels are also receding fast.
The meeting was attended by Secretaries of Central Ministries and Senior Officers of Defence Forces and National Disaster Management Authority.
Meanwhile Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that railways will transport relief material from different states to flood-ravaged Kerala free of cost till 31st of this month. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, Mr Goyal said, no freight is to be charged for transportation of relief material to Kerala.
He said, the country stands with Kerala in this hour of need and Railways is dedicated to extending support to the victims. Mr Goyal said, railways has provided 15 Lakh litres of water to Kerala from Pune and Ratlam.
The Minister also said, Centre has also exempted basic customs duty and GST for the consignments of aid and relief materials being dispatched or imported from abroad for the affected people.
