Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13: Even as the search for those missing in the Pettimudi tragedy continued for the seventh day, Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that the government will ensure the rehabilitation of the families affected by the natural calamity. He said this while briefing the media after a review meeting during his visit to Pettimudi today.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister along with the Hon. Governor, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan reached Pettimudi and visited the Rajamala landslide disaster site at Munnar in Idukki district.
While congratulating everyone involved in the rescue efforts, the CM said, “The search operations are still in progress and it is being carried out in the best possible way. When we look at the families of the victims, there are only a few survivors in some families and there are children also. Their education needs to be taken care of. It is difficult to build new houses here, so we need to find a new location to build them houses. The government had ensured the rehabilitation of families in Puthumalai and Kavalappara where landslides had occurred earlier and we will take the same stanced in Pettimudi also”
The CM also asked the company to come forward and help in a good way by way of land and also in building new houses. The government will bear the educational expenses of the children. The entire cost of the treatment of the injured is being borne by the government. If there is any particular need, it will be considered separately by the government. At the same time, there is a need for some action on the part of the company also. Those who have moved from Pettimudi to other settlements have no income at present. The company should consider such matters and provide them with the necessary assistance. The company should also do the necessary maintenance and repairs of these settlements. Hope the company will address these issues.
The CM also informed that the issue of road to Idamalakkudi is already under the consideration of the government. The minister’s visit was a great relief to the dependents of the disaster victims.
Hon. Governor, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan expressed his condolences and sympathies to the families of the landslide victims. He said the Pettimudi tragedy was a fateful incident not just for Kerala but for the entire country. The Governor offered his best wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured and also wished the survivors, the courage to move forward in life.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Labour Minister, Shri T P Ramakrishnan; Power Minister, Shri M M Mani and Revenue Minister, Shri E Chandrasekharan. Dean Kuriakose MP, MLAs S Rajendran, E S Bijimol, PJ Joseph and Roshi Augustine; District Panchayat President, Kochuthresya Paulous; former MLAs K K Jayachandran & A K Mani; DGP, Loknath Bahra, Southern Region IG, Harshita Attalloori; Crime Branch IG, Gopesh Agarwal; District Collectors, H P Dineshan & S P R Karuppaswamy; Sub Collector, S Premkrishnan; Revenue-Forest-Police officials and representatives of various political parties were also present on the occasion.