Wednesday, May 18 2005 14:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, today (May 18, 2005) launched the World Bank aided Tsunami Rehabilitation programme costing $ 434 million (Rs 1852.74 crore).

The programme envisages recreating the livelihood of the tsunami-affected people in the State, World Bank's Country Head (India), Michael Carter, told reporters after the programme's launch.

He said the $ 434 million aid to the State was a "sizable amount" and, in fact, half of the total World Bank aid for reconstruction and rehabilitation measures in India.

Essentially, the aid was for construction of new houses for the tsunami victims, who had lost their shelter in the tragedy, he said.

The aid would also be used for development of agricultural land, which had gone saline in tsunami hit areas, he said, adding recreating shelters and restoration of agricultural land would re-establish the livelihood of the affected. "Our aim is that the livelihood of the affected should keep going," he said.

He said that the progress of the Indian Government's tsunami relief and rehabilitation programme was satisfactory.