Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Stalin directive to officials on monsoon

CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday advised the Revenue Department to convey to District Collectors immediately damage caused by rain and take remedial measures by coordinating with other departments.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Secretariat on the preparedness of different government departments for the north-east monsoon, Mr. Stalin urged the authorities to arrange for disbursal of solatium to those affected.

N.S. Palaniappan, Principal Secretary (Revenue), said a round-the-clock cell was functioning at the office of the Commissioner of Revenue Administration (CRA). It could be contacted on toll-free telephone number 1070. Similar cells were working at the district headquarters and could be contacted on 1077.

N. Sundaradevan, Principal Secretary-CRA, wanted officials of various departments to follow up what was finalised at a meeting held in September on the subject. Among those present were M.R.K. Paneerselvam, Health Minister; K. Gnanadesikan, S. Ramasundaram and V.K. Subburaj, Principal Secretaries in-charge of Finance, Public Works and Health; and D. Jothi Jagarajan, Public Secretary.

Y.E.A. Raj, Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, who also attended the meeting, later told The Hindu that the present rainfall activity was due to the vigorous nature of the monsoon. At present, there was no cyclonic system. Between October 1 and Friday, the State received 13 cm rainfall against the normal 22 cm, a shortfall of 9 cm.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu