The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Money no constraint to relief work, says Chidambaram

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Money no constraint to relief work, says Chidambaram

By Our Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE, DEC. 28. The Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, has said that money will not be a constraint to providing immediate as well as long-term relief to the tsunami-affected people.

Mr. Chidambaram, who visited Cuddalore today to inspect the damage caused by the tidal waves, told presspersons that the Centre would give full cooperation to the Tamil Nadu Government in the relief works. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, had announced a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh for every life lost.

Asked whether any cess was being considered to raise resources for relief, Mr. Chidambaram said the Government had adequate funds to meet exigencies but if required, it would consider levying a cess. Long-term relief would be given in two forms: houses for those who had been rendered homeless, and boats and fishing nets to the fishing community. He had asked Tamil Nadu officials to prepare a plan based on these factors. The officials had told him that they would consult the Ministers and submit the details.

Mr. Chidambaram said his Ministry was examining ways to give boats and fishing nets to fishermen. He had directed insurance companies to provide compensation to fishermen who had insurance cover for their boats and the New India Assurance Corporation had already started the process. However a majority of the boats were not insured. Asked whether the Centre would explore constructing protective walls in vulnerable coastal areas, Mr. Chidambaram said he would not think such a structure could withstand the force of a tsunami. However, the possibility of relocating tenements 200 to 300 metres from the coast could be considered.

The Centre was in touch with other countries to find out whether there was any possibility of picking up warning signals before a calamity struck. He appealed to the people not to panic as there was no historical proof that a tsunami would recur at periodic intervals.

Mr. Chidambaram said the Car Nicobar Island had been affected the most by the tsunami, and the toll was expected to be a few thousands. He called upon MLAs and elected representatives of local bodies to ensure that the relief announced by the State Government reached target groups. He said he was satisfied with the relief works provided by the Cuddalore district administration. There may be shortcomings but it was not a time for criticism.

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