Kakinada, Jan 29th: Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Minister Pilli Subhas Chandra Bose  said families of those who lost their lives in the hooch tragedy would be provided with all kinds of assistance, including essential commodities free of cost, milch animals and admission for their wards in schools and hostels. He told mediapersons here that as an immediate assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the hooch tragedy, 35 kg of rice, two kg of red gram, one litre edible oil and one kg sugar would be distributed free of cost.

The Collector had already issued instructions to the officials in this regard, he said, adding that a special team, headed by Additional Joint Collector B Ramarao had been constituted to visit the affected villages and distribute the essential commodities to the families of the deceased within a couple of days. Among the 13 people killed, nine belonged to Scheduled Castes and efforts were being made to distribute Rs 25,000 worth of milch animals to each of these families through SC Corporation, Mr Bose said.

Similarly, for those belonging to Backward Castes, immediate assistance for income generating activity would be provided through BC Corporation with cent percent subsidy. For those, who did not have own houses, the authorities would sanction houses, the Minister added. The Social Welfare and BC Welfare Authorities would take steps for admitting the wards of the families of the deceased in the hooch tragedy in schools and hostels, the Minister added.