A meeting of the District Development Committee (DDC) held here on Saturday called for a high-level meeting in Thiruvananthapuram to expedite the Thalassery-Valavupara and Pappinissery-Pilathara road renovation works here under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).
P.K. Sreemathy, MP, who attended the meeting, demanded speedy completion of the Chamber Hall-Thayatheru road renovation and widening. The work was still incomplete though the project was approved six years ago, she said.
The DDC meeting, held in the presence of Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan, heard the proposal that compensation for houses damaged in monsoon be paid in seven days. It was raised by Sunny Joseph, MLA. District Collector P. Bala Kiran said village officers should visit calamity-affected areas the day after the incident.
The Collector said that procedures should be completed and the compensation handed over without delay. Each taluk had been handed over Rs.25 lakh for payment of compensation to victims of monsoon calamities, he said. The compensation for families of people killed in natural calamities was raised to Rs.4 lakh, he added. The documents required for that compensation included death certificate, a copy of the police First Information Report, and legal heir certificate.
The DDC also decided to intensify healthcare in tribal areas in view of the spreading of viral fever in parts of the district. Medical camps and sanitation activities had been organised in the areas, the meeting was told. The meeting also decided to appoint more doctors in areas where more fever cases were reported. The Health Department officials said 40 dengue fever cases were reported in the district.
T.V. Rajesh, MLA, raised the problem of stray dogs in Kalyassery. The MLA referred to the recent death of a 20-year-old youth of rabies. The meeting directed that anti-rabies vaccination be available in all major hospitals and community health centres.
