Date:01/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010105250400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Sonia enquires about pace of relief

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 31. The AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, on Friday enquired from the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, about the progress of relief and restoration works in the tsunami-affected areas of the State.

Sources said that Ms. Gandhi had made special enquiries about the condition of fishermen who were the worst-hit and the relief package that had been extended for their amelioration. She spoke to Dr. Reddy on telephone from New Delhi in the evening.

The Congress leader further sought to know if the fishermen who fled their homes on Thursday in the wake of a second alarm about a possible tidal wave had settled down to their normal chores. She suggested that permanent measures be taken for protecting fishermen in the event of natural disasters in the future.

The Chief Minister gave a detailed account of the relief measures undertaken by his Government including distribution of 50 kg of rice to each of the affected families in two instalments and payment of Rs. One lakh as ex gratia to the families of those who had lost their lives.