Kerala govt sets aside Rs 10 crore to support Ukraine-repatriated students
Thiruvananthapuram(PTI): The Kerala Government on Friday said it would provide necessary assistance to the state students repatriated from war-torn Ukraine to recover their lost certificates and valuables and continue their studies.
Special efforts would be taken under the leadership of NORKA, the state government's Non-Resident Keralite welfare agency, to coordinate these activities and an amount of Rs 10 crore is being earmarked for this purpose, Finance Minister K N Balagopal said while presenting the Budget for 2022-23.
"Those who have lost certificates and other valuable documents should be able to recover them and continue their studies. The state government will provide necessary assistance," he said.
Special intervention by the central government is required to facilitate the resumption of studies of students returning home due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he added.
As many as 3,123 people have been safely brought to the home state using various flights, including 15 chartered flights, the minister said adding that the data bank of Malayalee students studying abroad would be prepared by NORKA department soon.
Meanwhile, the maiden complete budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government also proposed to set up a Centre for Latin American Studies in the University of Kerala because of the "great influence" of that country on the socio-political, cultural and agricultural spheres of the southern state.
"Latin American crops have been cultivated here since the arrival of Portuguese in Kerala. Due to geographical similarities, crops and farming are also suitable for Kerala. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate plans that will utilise the potential of Kerala and Latin America," Balagopal explained.
Such comparative studies and research would be encouraged under the guidance of the new centre and the relationship with Latin America needs to be strengthened through projects, including student exchange programme.
"An amount of Rs 2 crore is earmarked in the budget for the study, research and follow up projects of the Latin American Centre," the minister added.
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89 killed as storm, rain batter UP; relief work underway
Lucknow (PTI): At least 89 people were killed after a strong storm and heavy rain pounded several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and electric poles and damaging houses, according to the Relief Commissioner's office.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the loss of lives and damage caused by the unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning on Wednesday and directed officials to ensure relief reaches the affected families within 24 hours.
In a post on X on Thursday, the Relief Commissioner's office said, "Due to bad weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state, which has been taken cognisance of by the Hon'ble Chief Minister."
It said the chief minister has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify the incidents "with full sensitivity" and ensure financial assistance is distributed to affected families within 24 hours while establishing direct communication with them and extending other necessary help.
The Relief Commissioner's office said it is continuously monitoring the situation through direct coordination with district officials and necessary funds are being made available to districts.
According to a list issued by the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported in the Handia area, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja and one in Sadar due to the storm and rain.
In Bhadohi, district administration sources said at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents.
Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas while many houses were damaged in the storm.
Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents in the district.
"Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while a woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil," he said.
In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents of wall and cemented shed collapses and lightning strikes amid strong winds and rain, officials said.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after he was trapped under the debris of a cemented shed that collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village in the Lalganj Kotwali area.
He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under the Baghrai police station area.
Bhukar said Shanti Devi (46) of Narangpur village and Lal Bahadur (44) of Chhatrapur Shivala Raghna village also died in storm-related incidents.
In Kanpur Dehat district, two persons died in rain-related incidents, the officials said.
Police sources said a 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after being struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under the Rasulabad area while standing under a neem tree with goats during heavy rain. Several goats also died in the incident.
A 60-year-old man standing nearby was injured, they added.
Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dushyant Kumar said reports regarding human and livestock losses have been sought from local officials and financial assistance will be provided as per government rules.
In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62), a resident of Bhimpur Gaura village, died after being struck by lightning, district administration sources said. Two others were injured in the incident.
In another incident, Ramnath Prasad (65), a resident of Neruari village, died in a lightning strike.
In Sonbhadra district, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped under a tree uprooted during the rain and the storm.
Adityanath directed the district magistrates and officials of various departments to visit the affected areas and provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families.
He also instructed the officials to remain alert and ordered the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a survey of the damage and submit a report to the government.
