Cyclone Ockhi barrelled into the Lakshwadeep on Saturday after drenching Kerala, Tamil Nadu. Photo: PTIThiruvananthapuram: The Centre on Sunday said Cyclone Ockhi, which wrecked havoc in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep, cannot be declared a national calamity as there is no such scheme, but assured all necessary assistance to tackle the situation. “We have received a memorandum from the state government requesting to declare Cyclone Ockhi as a national calamity. But, there is no such scheme for the Centre to do the same,” he said. The Union Minister later visited nearby Punthura, a coastal hamlet where fishermen are protesting alleging delay in rescue of their kin, who had ventured into sea days ago.

Source: Mint December 03, 2017 10:30 UTC