Central team assesses damage due to torrential rain in Pondy

An inter-ministerial high level Central team led by Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry T V S N Prasad today made an on-the-spot assessment of damage the heavy rains caused in various parts in Puducherry recently.
The team comprised representatives of Finance, Agriculture, Rural Development, Drinking Water, Health, Power and Road Transport, Highways and Central Water Commission of the Union Water Resources ministries, a release said.
The team made field visits and assessed damage to crops and also to roads and other infrastructures here, it said.
They held discussions with Chief Minister N Rangasamy, who urged them to ensure prompt submission of the report to facilitate early release of the Central assistance.

They earlier held discussions with the Chief Secretary and senior officers and acquainted themselves with the relief and mitigation measures initiated by the government.
The team was deputed to Puducherry after the CM wrote to the Prime Minister and the Home Ministry and also submitted a memorandum, bringing to their notice the extensive damage the rain had caused.

Rangasamy had sought a Central assistance of Rs 182.45 crores to procure relief to the affected people and also for restoration of infrastructure.
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Meanwhile, the Central team which toured Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to assess the damage caused by rains and flood left for Delhi tonight from Chennai.

"The team will submit its report to the Centre soon," Prasad told reporters in Puducherry during his visit.