Kerala Floods: Pb Cong MPs, MLAs to Donate Month's Salary

Chandigarh, Aug 18 (PTI) The Congress MPs and MLAs in Punjab will donate a month's salary for the relief work in flood-ravaged Kerala, a party spokesman said.

The decision follows a directive from Congress president Rahul Gandhi to all party MPs and MLAs from across the country to donate one-month salary for relief measures in the southern state.

According to the party spokesperson, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced his decision to immediately donate the one-month salary.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Sunil Jakhar said he had already directed party MPs and MLAs to provide the monetary help to Kerala flood victims on priority.

The party workers have been asked to ensure that the money reaches the Kerala authorities over the next two-three days without delay, he said.

Yesterday, Singh had announced Rs 10 crore for Kerala.

While Rs 5 crore has been transferred to Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund, the remaining is being sent in the form of ready-to-eat food items and other essential supplies, according to an official spokesman.

Around 40,000 food packets, weighing 40 metric tonne, was dispatched today, while another 60,000 such packets will be flown out from the Halwara airport tonight, he said.

Two more sorties have been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

As many as 194 people have lost their lives and 36 are missing in Kerala since August 8 due to rains and landslides, while over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.

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