Chennai:
With efforts in full swing to bring back normalcy to cyclone-battered Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said the state has sought a relief of Rs 5249 crore from the Centre and appealed to people to contribute to provide immediate succour to the affected.
"The state government has sanctioned Rs 850 crore for relief and immediate restoration of basic infrastructure. We have also approached the government of India for assistance to the extent of Rs 5249 crore," she said in an appeal to people, corporate houses, philanthropists to support the government in this regard.
Her appeal comes a day after a central team concluded its visit to cyclone-hit Cuddalore and Puducherry which bore the brunt of the devastation on December 30 in which 46 persons were killed.
The central team had said they would submit their report in three days.
Jayalalithaa said the cyclonic storm had caused unprecedented damage to infrastructure, crops and houses in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.
"Although my government has provided immediate relief to the affected persons, a lot more needs to be done for complete rehabilitation of the affected families and restoration of infrastructure wrecked by the cyclone," Jayalalithaa said.
Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko said with crops and plantation over lakhs of hectares damaged due to the cyclone, the state government should step up clearing work and finish it before the Pongal festival on January 15.
"The MNREGA should be utilised for this purpose and government should take the responsibility of cutting down and clearing uprooted trees. No Objection Certificate should be issued by the Forest Department to farmers to sell these in other districts," he said in a statement.
He also demanded a compensation of Rs 25000 per acre for plantation crops such as cashew, banana and sugarcane and Rs 15,000 per acre for paddy, adding, damaged infrastructure including power supply should be restored at the earliest.
PMK founder S Ramadoss said the state government lacked the financial and physical resources to handle the situation by itself and required the help of the Centre.
"Therefore the damage caused by Thane to Cuddalore should be declared as a National Disaster and Centre should generously donate funds to Tamil Nadu government," he said.