NEW DELHI, Jan. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Indian Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh announced Saturday Rs. 2 billion (around 45 millionUS dollars) as relief to tsunami survivors in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, even as a comprehensive rehabilitation plan was being prepared.

    Winding up a daylong visit to survey the damage caused by the tsunami in the Indian archipelago, he said the money would be usedfor immediate relief such as provision of food and water and construction of temporary shelters for the affected people, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.

    Though an early tsunami warning system and study of tidal waveswere being contemplated, Manmohan Singh said the most urgent requirement was provision of effective relief to the affected families.

    Noting that children were the hardest hit by the disaster, he said he would urge the (education) boards concerned to defer Class10 and Class 12 examinations for the affected children.

    He said the government would not spare any resources to providehelp to the victims. "Additional funds will be released for a wageemployment program."

    Manmohan Singh said the government was fully equipped to meet "this great challenge posed by the tragedy."

    "I will ask the science and technology ministry to mount a special team to study the phenomenon of tidal waves so that the island is protected," Manmohan Singh said, adding that an early tsunami warning system too would be developed at the national level.

    According to official estimates, 1,205 people have lost their lives in Andaman and Nicobar region in 192 affected villages. Over42,000 people have been hit and 5,740 are reported missing. Enditem