• Plantation and Community Infrastructure Min. claims comprehensive support plan concerning finances/allowances/payments, schools, psych support, hygiene, welfare needs

The Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry stated  the Government has a comprehensive plan to support estate sector families affected by Cyclone Ditwah and assured that all forms of relief and assistance would be provided without delay.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Deputy subject Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep said that the Government was already extending financial support to affected children through existing allowance schemes, in addition to other payments provided by the State. He said that special attention was being given to schools in the affected plantation areas to ensure that disruptions are minimised and that necessary interventions are being carried out promptly.

Beyond immediate financial relief, he said that the Government was closely monitoring wider issues faced by the plantation community, including psychological support, hygiene, and related welfare needs. “We are well aware of the issues faced by these families. We will address them in coordination with the relevant Ministries. Our priority is to ensure that the affected plantation community receives all the required support at the earliest possible time."

The assurances come as the Ministry announced that it would directly oversee the construction of new houses for estate sector workers whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Ditwah. Pradeep earlier said that the housing initiative would be managed by the Government, using Indian assistance specifically allocated for the estate sector community.

Explaining the implementation process, he said that the first phase would focus on identifying suitable land for construction, with technical recommendations sought from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). Houses would be built as close as possible to the relevant plantations to avoid disrupting the plantation industry. If the NBRO does not approve construction in the same estates where the families previously lived, he said that they would be moved to the nearest available plantation area.