Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said that passports damaged in floods in Kerala will be replaced free of cost by the Centre.
"There are unprecedented floods in Kerala causing huge damage. We have decided that as the situation becomes normal, passports damaged on account (of) floods shall be replaced free of charge. Please contact the concerned Passport Kendras," Minister tweeted.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced additional relief of Rs 100 crores for those affected by floods in Kerala.
“I understand the suffering of the people of Kerala due to this unprecedented crisis. Since assessment of damages will take some time, I hereby announce immediate relief of additional Rs 100 crores,” tweeted Rajnath Singh.
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“In order to supplement the efforts of the state government, just before leaving for Kerala I have approved the release the second instalment of Rs 80.25 crore in advance for the SDRF,” Singh said.
Singh further informed that the first installment of Rs 80.25 crore of the Central share of SDRF for 2018-19 was released last month only.
“The Centre is extremely sensitive to the needs of the Kerala state at this critical juncture. The first instalment of Rs 80.25 crore of the Central share of SDRF for 2018-19 was released last month only,” he said.
The northern and central parts of the state have been affected by heavy rainfall since August 8, causing one of the worst floods in the history of the state. Idukki district is among the places badly hit. The downpour here has triggered landslides.
The death toll because of the natural calamity here has touched 37. Nearly, 10 out of the 14 districts in Kerala have been affected by the floods.
