Gaja: CM to seek relief from Centre, TN releases Rs 1,000 Cr

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami will brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday about the devastation caused by the cyclonic storm 'Gaja' and seek a comprehensive central assistance package to tide over the situation.

The Tamil Nadu government, meanwhile, released Rs 1,000 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund to the cyclone affected districts to carry out relief and rehabilitation measures which includes solatium to the kin of dead, damage for crops, trees and houses.

Palaniswami left for Delhi this evening and is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister on Thursday at 9.45 am tentatively at his residence, sources said.

A day after touring the affected Pudukottai and Thanjavur districts, Palaniswami will brief Modi about the extensive damage caused by the cyclone and the huge monetary losses suffered by various sections of people, mainly the farmers.

Coconut trees and banana plantations spread across several lakhs of acres in districts including Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam were uprooted pushing farmers into a crisis.

Palaniswami after touring the affected districts had said the government will certainly take steps to get central funds and submit details of the damage with proof.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit meanwhile visited affected areas including Vedaranyam and Pushpavanam in Nagapattinam district and distributed assistance to people.

He also inspected food preparations at the relief centres and interacted with doctors at a medical camp.

Speaking to reporters, the Governor said, "As far as food is concerned it is being supplied everywhere, rice is available and administration is doing whatever is possible. I appreciate their zeal, dedication and work."
On the questions posed to him by the affected people, he said, "they wanted tarpaulins and some money."