Lawmakers approve financial aid for fire victims and demolition of illegal homes in forest and beach

Lawmakers approved on Wednesday amendments introducing financial aid for fire victims and the demolition of illegally built homes in forest and beach areas.

The amendment for the financial assistance was supported by all parties with the exception of the Communist Party that abstained.
The amendment of the illegal dwellings was also approved by all parties with the exception of the Communist Party, that abstained, and Golden Dawn that voted against it.

Earlier, an amendment legislating for a series of measures providing emergency financial aid to victims of the disastrous Attica fires on July 23-24 was tabled in Parliament.
The amendment was attached to a draft education ministry bill and hands out emergency aid to those whose homes and businesses were damaged in the fires, including second homes.
Fire victims are eligible for the sum of 600 euros, while for the disabled and heads of large families (four or more children), the amount is doubled.

They will also receive 5,900 euros to cover repair work and replace lost household effects and an additional sum of 4,400 euros in the case of permanent physical impairment due to injury.
The amendment also legislates for a series of non-financial support measures to assist fire victims, such as waiving the obligation to supply tax documents, specifying that the aid payments are untaxable and cannot be seized or offset against the recipients debts to the state and banks, and other.

Also on Wednesday, Greece submitted to parliament an amendment allowing for the demolition of illegally constructed buildings in beach and forest areas. The bill provides the relevant ministries with the ability to quickly knock down buildings that are located in protected areas that run a high risk of natural disasters.

Source: ANA-MPA