The Kerala government on Friday appointed global consultancy firm KPMG as the consultant partner in the rebuilding of the flood-ravaged state.
Residents of Pandanad sit at a bus stand surrounded by flood waters from the overflowing Pampa river, in Alappuzha district. (Photo: AFP)
The Kerala government on Friday appointed global consultancy firm KPMG as the consultant partner in the rebuilding of the flood-ravaged state.
At a press conference held in Thiruvananthapuram today, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Cabinet has approved of the decision to rope in the Amstelveen-headquartered company for the reconstruction work in the state.
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“Cabinet has decided to appoint KPMG as consultant partner in rebuilding Kerala,” Vijayan was quoted as saying by ANI.
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The services provided by KPMG will reportedly be free of cost.
He said that a high-level committee chaired by Chief Secretary Tom Jose will be appointed to rebuild Pamba town and to complete work in Sabarimala temple before the start of pilgrimage season on 17 November.
The CM added that the state will also be raising funds from foreign countries where there is a sizeable population of expatriates from Kerala. Most of the countries are in Gulf.
Vijayan said that a fund-raising programme will be held in educational institutions in the state on 11 September.
The CM announced a loan of Rs 10,00,000 to help small-scale traders besides interest-free loan of Rs 1,00,000 under Kudumbashree mission to help people affected by the floods purchase household items.
Meanwhile, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said on Thursday that contributions to CM’s Distress Relief Fund have crossed Rs 1,000 crore.
“The contributions to Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund crossed ₹1000 crores today. We are indeed overwhelmed at this global solidarity towards Kerala. Reviewing the pledges and promises I feel we shall cross ₹2000 crores. This is going to be an all time record in the country,” Isaac announced on Twitter.
Vijayan told the state Assembly on Thursday that the losses due to the floods and landslides were more than the state’s annual plan, which was pegged at Rs 26,500 crore in 2017-18 fiscal year.
A total of 483 people have died in rain-related incidents this monsoon and 14 people were reported to be still missing.
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