AP govt gets pat on back from 'Hudhud' panel

A parliamentary committee on Home Affairs today praised Andhra Pradesh government for doing a "good job" in restoring normalcy in areas affected by cyclone 'Hudhud' last year.
The panel was formed to assess the damage caused by the cyclone.
The panel under its chairman P Bhattacharya visited areas Auto Nagar, Rambilli, and Anakapalli Mandals in the district today as part of its assessment tour.
Acknowledging that 'Hudhud' caused the major damage to crops and property in the district, Bhattacharya said the committee will recommend to Union government to help victims in all aspects.
Hudhud had caused extensive damage to Visakhapatnam and the neighbouring districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam in October.

He said the state government has done a "good job" and restored the situation within a few days.

"The Union government has released Rs 400 crore so far towards relief works. We will recommend them to release more funds to help victims," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced aid of Rs 1,000 crore for the affected areas last year.
The team observed that the cyclone had washed away thousands of houses and a large number of workers have lost their jobs.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, one of the members of the panel, said it will appeal to the Centre to extend support to those people who lost their homes in the cyclone.

The committee also visited Gorapudi village where a large number of coconut trees were uprooted.
It also asked District Collector N. Yuvaraj to provide alternative income sources to the affected coconut farmers.