Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 18 (UNI) Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers Union (TRCMPU) of Milma has declared an emergency relief package of Rs one crore to help the affiliated dairy farmers in flood-hit areas in the region, including a solatium of Rs 25,000 for the next of kin of the farmers who died during the disaster, the union said in a statement on Monday.
An emergency meeting of the Administrative Committee of TRCMPU held here on Monday made an initial allocation of Rs 1 crore to meet the urgent commitments in this regard, its Convener N Bhasurangan said in a press release.
Farmers who have lost their cattle in the disaster will get up to Rs 25,000 as compensation. Up to Rs 20,000 will be provided for re-building the cattle sheds destroyed during the calamity and Rs 10,000 for repair of the damaged buildings of milk co-operative societies.
Free cattle feed will be distributed to the dairy farmers and free veterinary medical service will be extended for 15 days in the flood-affected areas. The veterinary camps will be organized with the support of the co-operative societies.
Transportation charges will be provided to co-operative societies where the procurement vehicles of Milma cannot reach due to destruction of roads caused by the calamity. More relief measures will be declared after a visit to the co-operatives in flood-ravaged areas, Shri Bhasurangan said.
In view of recurring natural disasters, the government should consider implementing a special package for Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts by declaring them as ‘protected dairy zones’, he added.
