Date:10/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/10/stories/2005121002870500.htm

Back Govt approves Rs 9,870-cr Tsunami package

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Dec. 9

THE Empowered Group of Ministers (atits meeting held on Friday has approved the Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme at an estimated cost of Rs 9,870 crore.

Rehabilitation initiatives spread over eleven sectors were approved for the Tsunami affected States/UTs of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Tsunami had left over 10,000 dead, 5,800 missing and affected 36,500 livestock. Over 1,50,000 houses had been damaged and 83,000 boats had been lost or damaged.

Approximately 30 per cent the outlay is for housing, 11 per cent for fishery, 13 per cent for ports & jetties, 13 per cent for roads & bridges and 8 per cent for environmental and coastal protection. The programme will be implemented over a period of four years.