Rajnath Singh :Government to help Cyclone affected states

NewDelhi Dec 22: The Loksabha has been functioning smoothly after the opposition party congress had walked out of the house after protesting for one hour and demanded Apology from PM Modi for the remarks he made against former PM Manmohan Singh.

Later the House had discussed the issue of cyclone Ockchi which had caused a devastating damaged to Tamilnadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep islands.

The members from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep, on Friday, demanded that cyclone Ockhi be declared a national disaster as it has created a significant damage to the economy and no early warning was issued by the Centre.

Later many Members have also discussed about the relief operations carried by the Indian navy and coast guard officials and lauded their efforts to save many people especially fishermen who were stranded in the sea.

Replying to the debate Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that "that a central team would visit Kerala first from December 26 to December 29 and thereafter an assessment will be done to announce the central package."

Minister added that "assistance, including Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of dead and Rs 50,000 for those injured, have already been announced"

He added that "Initial figure of missing persons during Cyclone Ockhi was 433, now after the search and rescue operations by the Navy and Indian Coast Guard the number of missing remains at 275.As many as 18 ships of the Indian Navy and the National Coast Guard have been involved in the search and rescue operation even till today, the 22 day since Cyclone Ockhi made landfall in India".