Kerala needs Rs 30,000 crore to rebuild, will raise funds through various means: Minister

For raising the other Rs 20,000 crores, the Kerala government is likely to approach the Centre and pressurise them to give the nod for borrowings and such modes.

Flood -battered Kerala needs Rs 30,000 crore to rebuild, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said on Monday.

Volunteers segregate flood relief material at a distribution centre for Kerala floods, in Kochi on Sunday. Thomas Isaac said the revenue would be raised through various means, including cash and kind.(PTI)

“We require Rs 20,000 for capital expenditure and Rs 10,000 for revenue expenditure,” Isaac told IANS, adding it would be raised through various means, including cash and kind.

The capital expenditure would go into rebuilding roads, bridges, buildings, while the revenue expenditure would meet the compensation towards agriculture crops besides damage caused to homes and the Rs 10,000 to every family who were devastated by the floods.

“Rs 6,000 crore is expected in cash to come through the various public contribution, besides another Rs 4,000 crore will be in kind through various centrally sponsored schemes like the The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 and National Rural Livelihood Mission, programmes,” Isaac said.

For raising the other Rs 20,000 crores, Isaac said the state would approach the Centre and pressurise them to give the nod for borrowings and such modes.

On Monday, Isaac launched a special lottery, with each ticket costing Rs 250. The draw would be held on October 3. It is expected to raise around Rs 100 crore.