Thursday, February 17 2005 16:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Government today (Feb 17, 2005) approved a relief and rehabilitation package costing Rs 821.88 crore for the Tsunami-affected Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The package, approved by the Union Cabinet in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, includes an immediate relief and response assistance of Rs 313.19 crore, Rs 215.65 crore for intermediate housing and relief employment generation and a special Rs 239.54 crore package for revival of agriculture, an official release in New Delhi said.

The package also includes Rs 29.89 crore for immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a special Rs 15.01 crore package for fishery sector and a special package for rehabilitation of orphans, widows, disabled and unmarried girls for Rs 8.60 crores, it said.

The Cabinet also gave its approval for the construction of 10,100 intermediate shelters for the tsunami-affected families in the islands and sanctioned Rs 96.33 crores for the purpose.

The assistance for relief would cover payment of ex-gratia in respect of missing persons subject to proper verification and due procedures by the island Administration, it said, adding the recommendations also include payment of ex-gratia at the rate of Rs one lakh has been given by the States in the mainland where the ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 from Calamity Relief Fund and National Calamity Contingency Fund has been supplemented by the States from their own resources.

This would be in addition to the Rs one lakh from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, it said.