New Delhi

Communist Party of India chief Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance the Central assistance for the flood-affected state of Kerala in view of the large-scale damage due to the natural disaster.

In a letter to Modi, Yechury said: “You have sanctioned Rs 500 crores of central assistance, but his is grossly inadequate in the light of the extensive damage that has been caused.”

“I would request you to increase this amount to Rs 2,000 crores and urge you to respond positively given the urgency that is warranted,” Yechury added.

Referring to his visit to relief camps in three districts, including the worst-hit district of Alappuzha, he said the inmates were agonised over their homes having being washed away and all their possession destroyed. Massive resources would be required for the rehabilitation of these people.

He batted for release of substantial funds under the Central scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for construction of new houses for lakhs of people. He also urged that Centre take up the matter with the United Nations agencies seeking assistance for building new homes.