Kerala - Alappuzha

Tsunami funds: stir called off

ALAPPUZHA: The two-month-long agitation organised by the Alappuzha diocese of the Latin Catholic Church, demanding various relief measures and infrastructure development works utilising the tsunami rehabilitation funds, was called off on Tuesday following a truce talk convened by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac.

The diocese had been staging a satyagraha in front of the collectorate since September 17 demanding speedy completion of rehabilitation works on tsunami-affected stretches of the Alappuzha coast.

Various other protests calling for construction of a seawall; supply of drinking water and power; development of the coastal road; upgrading the primary health centres; and distribution of tsunami scholarships to children of tsunami-affected families were also held.

Talking to The Hindu, Dr. Isaac said the government had assured the Coastal Development Action Council (CDAC), representing the diocese, that its commitment to developing the coastal highway and building necessary bridges was total. Whatever paucity of finance that was faced while depending on the Rs.1,441-crore tsunami funds would be dealt with using funds from the State budget.

“We have assured them that the gaps in the coastal road, from Thaikal to Mararikulam, from Alappuzha to the Matsyagandhi Junction and from there to Ambalapuzha, totalling 23km, will be completed using funds from the State budget. Same will be the case with developing the primary health centre at Arthunkal. As for the tsunami scholarship issue, we have requested the Centre to increase the allowance for the State,” the Minister said.

CDAC convener P.J. Mathew said the strike was “called off for the time being” since the government had given its assurance in writing for the demands raised by the diocese. Alappuzha Diocese Vicar General Monsignor Antony Therath and Mr. Mathew were among those who attended the talks that were held in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

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