Left MPs demand immediate financial assistance for rain-hit TN

Left MPs today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought immediate release of Rs 2,000 crore towards relief work in areas of Tamil Nadu hit by heavy rains in recent weeks.
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, Rajya Sabha members -- T K Rangarajan (CPM) and D Raja (CPI) -- said the rains have affected almost the entire Tamil Nadu and demanded immediate financial relief.
The districts of Cuddalore, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Villupuram, among others, have been most affected by unprecedented North-East Monsoon, they said.
The Tamil Nadu government has demanded an initial relief of Rs 8,481 crore subject to finalisation of the total value of damage, they said.

"The Centre has allotted Rs 939.63 crore only against the immediate demand of Rs 2,000 crore," the memorandum said.
Rangarajan and Raja requested the Prime Minister to release further Rs 2,000 crore as "interim relief without waiting for the report from the central team".
"In a rough estimate we could receive from the officials of Corporation of Chennai, the total damage the city of Chennai alone suffered amounts to about Rs 2,500 crore," they said.
Rangarajan and Raja also said that the recent havoc caused by rains in Tamil Nadu should be declared as a calamity of severe nature.