Date:01/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010103430500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Banks' offer to provide aid

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 31. All lead banks in the coastal area of the State are convening special District Consultative Committee (DCC) meetings to work out a special action plan to provide financial assistance to the tsunami victims before January 10.

Credit plan

According to a press release issued by the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC), the committee visited Guntur and Krishna districts on December 30 and discussed the plan of action to implement relief measures in the affected areas in the district.

It said a special credit plan of Rs.1.25 crores was approved for implementation in the affected areas of Guntur district, for consumption loans, loans for housing and for purchase of fishing nets and boats. \

It said all the affected districts would prepare special credit plans for affected fishermen and extend loans for boats, fishing nets and consumptions of Rs.3,000 per family, as approved by the Reserve Bank of India.

The committee later visited Kanuruvari Pallipalem near Machilipatnam and interacted with the tsunami victims. The committee will also visit the affected areas in the other districts shortly, it said.