Jaya wants Rs 4,800 cr in aid

In the memorandum to the PM, she sought waiver of all outstanding loans availed by fishermen, customs duty on import of nets, motors and spare parts of boats. ‘‘Given the nature of this calamity, …the normal norms of the Calamity Relief Fund cannot apply and a special package should be developed,’’ she wrote.

Detailing the steps taken by the state government since December 26, the memorandum says the state government plans to take special steps to rehabilitate the displaced and work out a special package for those who have lost everything.

Among other things, the memorandum demands Rs 1,000 crore for housing (Rs 250 crore for temporary homes and Rs 750 crore for permanent ones), Rs 709.22 crore for restoration of community assets like roads, midday meal centres and community centres which will provide a ‘‘much more suitable environment for the affected families’’ and Rs 449 crore for coast protection measures.

In addition, the state has sought Rs 204.95 crore for rescue and gratuitous relief, Rs 71.45 crore for health, Rs 261.36 crore as sustenance package, Rs 628.88 crore for infrastructure building and Rs 200 crore for restoration of ecology along the coastline.

Donations: Plea dismissed

Kochi: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest writ petition seeking to restrain private agencies including newspapers from receiving donations for tsunami victims without permission from the state government. Petitioner P.D.Joseph of Thrissur alleged that such funds would be misused.