CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has sought Rs 15,000 Crore as Central assistance towards relief and rehabilitation activities in districts affected by Cyclone Gaja in the State. Chief Minister K Palaniswami met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi with a plea for Central assistance for various sectors in the affected areas. Speaking in Delhi, Palaniswami said, “I have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister detailing the extent of the damage caused by the cyclone.” He said he has also urged Modi to depute a Central team to assess the damage, besides seeking an immediate release of almost Rs 1500 Crore towards “temporary renovation” activities.
According to the abstract of the memorandum submitted to Modi by Palaniswami, TN has sought a total sum of Rs 14,910 Crore towards permanent renovation activities in various areas, including the power sector that has been badly hit. Over one lakh electric poles had been uprooted and a significant number of power sub-stations damaged, with reports suggesting that many parts are still without power. Cyclone Gaja had crossed the Tamil Nadu coast on November 16 between Nagapattinam, about 300 km from Chennai, and nearby Vedaranyam. It claimed 46 lives and left a trail of destruction in over ten districts, including Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Puthukottai, and Thanjavur which suffered severe damage.
The state government has already released a sum of Rs 1000 Crore for immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas. Meanwhile, Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has asked Modi to visit the cyclone-ravaged districts of the state, saying it would make the government machinery work faster to address people's issues. The ongoing relief activities should not be a mere “fire-fighting exercise” but should be a long drawn one. “The Prime Minister should immediately visit the affected areas. If the PM visits, the government machinery will work faster,” Haasan said. He added that affected areas should be declared as a “Smart Integrated Agricultural Zone”, with a view to protecting farmers.
