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Kerala will seek the consent of the Election Commission to take up relief operations to deal with drinking water scarcity in some parts of the State.
A high-level meeting convened on Thursday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here took a decision to this effect.
WRITES TO CENTRE
The Government has written to the Centre requesting relaxation in the conditions for declaring a drought in the state.
It has announced an ex gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh for families of the victims of sunstroke.
It would also bear the medical expenses of those undergoing treatment. Free ration would be provided for sunstroke-affected workers.
Kasaragod, Kollam, and Palakad districts are the worst affected by the drought. Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said crop loss has been reported from 1,038 hectares.
Affected farmers would be compensated and funds allotted for protection of cattle from the heat.
The meeting decided to set up reverse osmosis plants in Kasaragod to overcome the problem of saline intrusion into water sources.
DAM WATER
Rigs and geologists from six districts would be deployed to dig more tube wells. Additional Chief Secretary VJ Kurian will coordinate drought relief operations in the district.
Officials told the meeting that water from the Thenmala dam was being supplied to Kollam town, Panmana and neighbouring areas.
The dam water will be used to charge canals leading to Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. The Malampuzha dam in Palakkad district would be used exclusively for drinking water supply.
District Collectors have been directed to utilise the Rs 13 crore allotted for drinking water supply. Minister Prakash said more funds would be released if the situation warranted.
The meeting resolved to install capacitors to resolve the voltage problem at pumping stations of the Kerala Water Authority.
More tanker lorries would be pressed into service and boats deployed for the purpose in the land-locked Kuttanad that also lies below sea level.
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