The Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) will urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a special assistance package of ₹3,500 crore to take up relief and reconstruction activities in the coastal belt affected by cyclone Ockhi.
The KRLCC executive that met here on Monday decided to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister seeking Central assistance for the comprehensive development of the coastal areas. Briefing the media after the meeting, Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop Dr. Soosa Pakiam M. and KRLCC vice president Shaji George said they looked forward to Mr. Modi’s visit to the cyclone-affected areas on Tuesday.
Highlighting the need to strengthen coastal defences against flooding and erosion and ensure the safety of fishermen at sea, the meeting called for steps to provide housing for coastal communities and better communication facilities for those venturing out to sea. It also urged the government to develop the fishing harbours at Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod.
Pressing for the establishment of a separate Union Ministry for Fisheries Dr. Soosa Pakiam said it would help to address many of the long-pending issues faced by the fisheries sector that contributed ₹33,442 crore to the country in foreign exchange every year.
The KRLCC, he said, would demand 25% reservation for coastal communities in recruitment to the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Police. He also stressed the need to improve the disaster management machinery in Kerala and bring it on par with States along the eastern coast.
Dr. Soosa Pakiam said 179 missing fishermen were yet to be traced, according to information gathered by the archdiocese. Expressing anguish over the lack of coordination between the Revenue and Fisheries department, he said the KRLCC would urge the State government to prepare a white paper on the human toll and losses caused by Cyclone Ockhi.
The council would join hands with the Latin Archdiocese to launch a cyclone relief fund and take up rehabilitation of victims. It would also prepare a special scheme for the education of children in the coastal areas.
