Date:07/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/07/stories/2005010715110700.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

BJP forms panel for tsunami relief

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 6. The State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has constituted a "tsunami relief committee" for carrying out coordinated operations in the affected areas.

Headed by the president, C.P. Radhakrishnan, the committee has 27 members including one vice-president, three general secretaries, two secretaries and the treasurer.

Announcing this in a statement, Mr. Radhakrishnan gave an account of steps taken by the BJP-ruled State Governments for relief measures in Tamil Nadu. The Gujarat Government had contributed Rs. 10 crores for the tsunami-hit States, of which Rs. 5 crores was given to Tamil Nadu. Besides, food items, weighing 2,000 tonnes, were supplied. Chhattisgarh had given rice and other essential commodities worth Rs. 7 crores. It also decided to adopt two villages.

In addition to contributing Rs. 3 crores, Rajasthan had donated relief materials costing Rs. 2 crores. Its Ministers were camping here to have a first-hand knowledge of the operations. Goa decided to send materials for Rs. 50 lakhs. Madhya Pradesh would give Rs. 2 crores in cash and Rs. 5 crores in kind. All the legislators of this State had come forward to donate their one-month salary, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

The Delhi unit BJP sent 10 tonnes of medicines. Besides, 100-tonne tarpaulins were despatched for 20,000 temporary shelters. Arrangements for burial of 2,500 bodies were made.