Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Tsunami Calamity Relief announced by the Prime Minister for Andaman and Nicobar Islands

An immediate relief of Rs 200 crores is being released to the Andaman & Nicobar Government for implementing immediate relief measures. This will be used for

i) Provision of food for all the affected families . This will cost Rs 60 crores.

ii) Immediate supply of construction material for temporary houses for those who have lost houses. About 10,000 houses costing Rs 25 crores.

iii) Additional funds of Rs 10 crores for wage employment programmes.

iv) Additional grant of Rs 10 crores to Tribal Councils for restoring community halls and social infrastructure.

v) Telemedicine programme to be launched by the Space Department.

vi) In addition the following will be done to provide relief -

a) School Exams for classes X and XII will be held a few months later for those children who opt for it.

b) Pawan Hans will be asked to provide additional helicopter services.

c) Mobile telephone connectivity will be provided in major Islands.

Keeping in mind the extensive seismic and tidal activity that is going on, the government will immediately constitute a team of scientific experts to study the sub- mergence, tidal patterns, and seismic patterns to help locate places for resettlement.

Long term rehabilitation.

For the long term , the Central government will focus o n comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the Islands to be implemented in a project mode. Funds will be sought form all possible sources for this purpose.

This plan will cover

i) Permanent Housing which is disaster and calamity proof.

ii) Reconstruction of harbours and jetties.

iii) Establishment of disaster warning systems and shelters

iv) Sustainable development of the region for a better quality of life while conserving the ecology.