The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : No evidence of government relief work: Vaiko

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 31, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

No evidence of government relief work: Vaiko

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, DEC. 30. The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary, Vaiko, today alleged that the Tamil Nadu Government miserably failed to provide immediate relief to the tsunami-affected people.

"There was no trace of government-related relief work in any of the affected districts even three days after the incident. It was total negligence and callous on the part of the Government. At a time when the Government was expected to take measures on a war-footing, it was unfortunate that it had not even started the work. The situation would have been worse but for the timely assistance of non-government and service organisations such as Rotary clubs and Lions clubs," Mr. Vaiko told newsmen here.

Mr. Vaiko said he had toured the worst affected areas in the last three days and the people complained that no official visited them. The situation was worse in Nagapattinam and Kanyakumari districts, where the toll ran into thousands. He demanded the immediate suspension of the Collectors for their "negligence."

`Wake up at least now'

Mr. Vaiko regretted that bodies were found lying in many places and no attempt was being made to dispose them of. There was no medical assistance to the people sheltered in camps. Medical assistance was being provided by local service organisations and NGOs and political parties. Many lives could have been saved had the State Government begun relief measures immediately. It should have mobilised officials from other districts for the relief works. He wanted the Government to "wake up" at least now to provide relief.

To avoid misuse of relief materials, he suggested that the Government set up in the affected districts monitoring committees consisting of parties and non-governmental and service organisations.

Describing the Chief Minister's reaction to the Union Minister, Dayanidhi Maran's charge against the State Government as deplorable, Mr. Vaiko said he had stated only the fact. Again her comment about the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, M. Karunanidhi's health was in bad taste.

DMK memorandum

The Union Minister for Environment and Forests, A. Raja, submitted a memorandum to the Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, alleging that the State Government had not taken up relief measures. No official was seen in the affected areas. In many places bodies were kept in the open and they started decaying. There were no doctors in hospitals to attend on the affected, he said and wanted the Governor to intervene.

N. Varadarajan, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), urged the Government to appoint officers in the rank of tahsildar in all relief camps. For this, officials from other districts should be transferred to the affected areas.

The Government should utilise the services of NGOs and other voluntary organisations for relief work.

All-party committees should be formed in all districts to monitor the progress of the work and also to avoid complaints.

The Congress Legislature Party leader, S.R. Balasubramonian, also demanded the setting up all-party committees.

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