Monday, December 27 2004 22:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today (Dec 27, 2004) activated its relief package for the States affected by tsunami, which were triggered off after an earthquake near Sumatra island near Indonesia.

The relief package is to provide financial assistance to agriculturists, small-scale industrial units, artisans, small businesses and trading establishments affected by natural calamities, RBI said in a release in Mumbai today.

The measures include consumption loans to persons affected by calamities for sustenance, waiver of margin requirements or considering as margin of grants among others, it said.

The Central bank's branches are required to initiate the package of measures immediately after the district and State authorities declare the State or district as calamity affected areas, it said. RBI has also asked the banks to convene a State-level meeting to discuss the effect of tsunami in their respective areas and to consider and recommend measures required in the affected States, it added.

The bank is also taking special measures to ensure movements and adequate supply of currency notes in these areas, it said. Meanwhile, Bank of Baroda declared Rs 5 crore donation to Prime Minister's Relief Fund "towards rebuilding the lives and properties of thousands of Indians" affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis.