Tamil Nadu

Karunanidhi announces relief for flood victims

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi on Saturday announced 10 kg free rice to those whose house was fully or partially damaged in the floods and Rs.2000 in cash.

In a statement here he said so far 103 people had died and 50,890 houses had been damaged in the incessant rain.

According to the Chief Minister, 6,700 km of roads were damaged, 328 lakes breached, 687 bridges and 402 government buildings were damaged.

“Crops cultivated in 5,52,290 hectares were completely destroyed and 450 cattle killed,” he said adding that all from Chief Secretary to the officials in taluks and panchayats were working hard to help the people.

Rejecting the criticism of AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa, he said the State government had made adequate arrangements to provide food and relief materials to the people. As many as 2099 relief centres had been opened and 10,19,400 persons were being housed in them.

Mr. Karunanidhi said the government had already started distributing Rs.2000 each to those affected by the floods, and Rs.75 lakh had been distributed in a single day.

Pointing out that the government had allotted Rs.100 crore even before getting information about the deaths and damage caused, he said steps had been taken to assess the total damage to seek assistance from the Centre.

CPI’s assistant secretary G. Palanisamy said the Rs.2000 as compensation and 10 kg free rice were not adequate. “The government should give Rs.10,000 for the fully damaged houses and Rs.5,000 for those partially damaged. All food items, including rice, should be given to them till normalcy returns.”

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