Thursday, December 30 2004 19:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the impact of the Tsunami tragedy in Kerala with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvanathapuram this evening (Dec 30, 2004).

Chandy and his colleagues briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the magnitude of the death and devastation caused by the killer waves and sought liberal central assistance for relief and rehabilitation work.

The State cabinet had yesterday (Dec 29, 2004) decided to seek Rs 757 crore as Central assistance to overcome the crippling impact of the tragedy that left 178 dead and rendered hundreds of people homeless, mostly in the southern districts of Kollam and Alappuzha districts.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the affected areas in the State tomorrow (Dec 31, 2004).

Some members of parliament from the State also met the Prime Minister on his return here after a visit to the disaster-struck areas of Tamil Nadu.