PWF backs demand for probe into reservoir water release

Backing the demand for an inquiry into discharge of surplus waters from the Chembarambakkam Reservoir here, People's Welfare Front comprising Vaiko-led MDMK, the Left parties and the VCK today urged setting up of a commission headed by a sitting High Court Judge to go into the issue.
Last week, surplus waters from the Chembarambakkm reservoir here was opened up and it had allegedly contributed for the severe inundation of the entire city and suburbs.
"A commission of Inquiry, headed by a sitting High Court Judge must be constituted to go into the discharge of flood waters from Chembarambakkam Reservoir," a joint statement by the PWF leaders Vaiko, G Ramakrishnan (CPI-M), R Mutharasan (CPI) and Thol Thirumavalavan (VCK) said.

DMK treasurer Stalin had yesterday demanded a commission of Inquiry over the same issue to find out the facts. "Several authentic information has now come out stating that the release of about one lakh cusecs of water from Chembarambakkam Reservoir caused the devastation in Chennai," the PWF leaders claimed.
Referring to the death toll of 347 due to floods in Tamil Nadu, the PWF leaders claimed that in Cuddalore District alone "100 persons were killed" in the rains and flood.
"The data of the government's revenue department claiming only 347 deaths is not true," the PWF leaders alleged.

Also, they demanded,"a proper enumeration of those killed in rains and flood in Chennai and other districts and a solatium of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of the victims."

Tamil Nadu government has given Rs 4 lakh as solatium to the families of those killed in rain related incidents.
PWF leaders also wanted an inquiry into the alleged flooding of an Information Technology Special Economic Zone Complex here housing several IT and ITES companies.
They claimed that the SEZ had "hurriedly removed the bodies of the dead employees though it is denying loss of lives."
CPI(M) state Secretary Ramakrishnan had yesterday blamed official apathy for the disaster and had demanded inquiry by a sitting judge to probe lapses over the flooding issue.