Kerala floods: State considers interest-free loans for traders

The Kerala government on Friday announced more relief measures for the flood-hit people of the state even as it tried to restore its ravaged civic infrastructure.

2 min readThiruvanathapuramUpdated: Aug 25, 2018 06:26 AM IST

Kerala floods: State considers interest-free loans for traders

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrives to visit the flood-hit areas at Sultan Bathery in Wayanad. (PTI Photo/File)

The Kerala government on Friday announced more relief measures for the flood-hit people of the state even as it tried to restore its ravaged civic infrastructure.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media that the government was considering interest-free loan up to Rs 10 lakh for traders, dairy farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs who had suffered massive losses in the flood. “The traditional industrial and trade sectors have faced a severe setback. The government has asked banks to give moratorium for one-and-a-half years on loans,’’ he said.

Also read | No jobs, relief camps closing, migrant workers leave for home

Vijayan said that families in relief camps would be given financial assistance of Rs 10,000 when they return home. The amount will be credited in their bank accounts.

He also said that 31 per cent of the flooded houses had been cleaned and made ready for occupation. Of 25.6 lakh power connections that had gone defunct, 23.36 lakh have been restored.

Indicating that more people are returning home from relief camps, the CM said that the number of people in the camps had come down to 8,69,724 on Friday from 10,40,688 the previous day.

He said the office of the CM would function on Saturday (Onam) as continuous effort was required to overcome the crisis.

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Also read | Here’s how to contribute to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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