Centre announces teams for tsunami-hit states

A 10-member team each for Andhra, TN and Kerala would assess the damage.

Centre on Sunday announced formation of a 10-member team each for three tsunami-affected states under Chairmanship of Secretary (Disaster Management) AK Rastogi who would assess the damage caused by the tidal waves and the assistance required for re-construction.

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A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of National Crisis Management Group, chaired by Cabinet Secretary BK Chaturvedi on Sunday afternoon, official sources said.

Each team would be headed by a Joint Secretary of Home Ministry and would comprise members from Finance, Animal Husbandry, Surface Transport, Agriculture, Women and Child Development, Education, Rural Development and Water Resources ministries, the sources said.

The teams would embark on a three-day visit to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala from January 4 and would assess the damage in these states besides working on the funds required for rehabilitation, the sources said.

All the three teams would be headed by Rastogi who would submit a report to the Government about the extent of damage in the three states, they said.

Others present at the meeting included Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh, Defence Secretary Ajay Vikram Singh and senior officials from ministries of Shipping, Transport, Rural Development, Health and Social Welfare.