Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday ordered the immediate release of Rs. 940 crore towards relief and restoration work in Tamil Nadu, which faced extensive damage to life and property in the northeast monsoon.
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The CM has already sanctioned a sum of Rs 500 crore for relief and restoration operations.
Jayalalithaa had sent a letter to Mr. Modi, enclosing a detailed memorandum on flood damages. A delegation led by Tamil Nadu special representative S T K Jakkayan handed over the letter to the Prime Minister’s Office.
She also thanked the Centre for promptly dispatching additional services of the National Disaster Response Force, Army, Air Force, Navy and the Coast Guard who assisted wherever the need was felt.
Modi has also agreed to Jayalalithaa’s demand for a central team to be dispatched to the state to assess the damage and release funds for relief. More than four lakh people were shifted to relief camps and provided food and shelter. To cite an example, at Neyveli, it rained 437 mm on 9.11.2015.
” the necessity of funds for speedy saving and comfort and the permanent and momentary restoration of infrastructure continues to be worked-out at Rs.8,481 crore in all…”
Vast areas of Tamil Nadu were pounded by heavy rains earlier this month that cause massive inundation and destruction of property in the four Northern coastal districts of Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur.
The CM mentioned several parts of the state have been drastically damaged because of flooding. Over a hundred lives were lost and agricultural lands submerged. “In the meanwhile, I request that an on account release of Rs 2,000 crore may be sanctioned immediately to enable the state government to sustain the relief and restoration operations with the same vigour”, Jayalalithaa said. “The tireless immediate rescue and relief operations conducted against heavy odds were widely appreciated”, she said.
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Nevertheless, despite all efforts consumed by the Local Government, “as the rain was not excessively light and experienced for a number of times, it has quit a path of devastation and harm”, she said.
