The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : More heat than light likely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 31, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

More heat than light likely

By V. Jayanth

CHENNAI, JAN. 30. The tsunami, Veerappan, Veeranam and the Sankararaman murder case are expected to dominate the brief session of the Assembly, which begins here tomorrow.

It will start with the Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala's address to the House — his first in the State.

The four issues are expected to be used by both the ruling party and the Opposition to suit their agenda. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government may claim credit for ending the Veerappan saga, commissioning the New Veeranam scheme to quench Chennai's water thirst, allowing law to take its own course in the Sankararaman murder case and handling relief and rehabilitation work in tsunami-hit areas without major complaints.

The opposition parties, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), are preparing to launch an offensive against the Government on the handling of the very same issues — picking holes in the administration's claims and particularly in the distribution of relief to tsunami victims.

According to ruling party sources and officials, the AIADMK regime can "legitimately claim credit" for bringing the Veerappan menace to an end, with the Special Task Force gunning down the bandit and his close associates. The New Veeranam scheme for bringing additional water has been "implemented in record time" despite odds. Though it was initially meant to tap only the surplus water from the Veeranam tank, the authorities have gone well beyond that to tap groundwater in the Neyveli belt. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, recently launched works to bring more supply from the Coleroon (kollidam). A couple of days ago, she announced the decision to build checkdams enroute to ensure that the water needs of delta farmers and towns/ villages are also fully met.

Encouraging feedback

As for the tsunami devastation, Government sources say that except for the initial complaints, the feedback from the affected districts was "encouraging and comforting." The Government left no stone unturned to ensure that the relief reached the people. By deputing an army of officials from Chennai and neighbouring areas, the Government made sure of full coordination and close monitoring of relief and rehabilitation work.

Though the Centre announced a relief package, the State was yet to receive communication or funds. But the administration was going ahead with the arrangements for rehabilitation. Funds were pouring into the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund and non-governmental organisations were offering assistance. A special scheme to involve the NGOs and corporate bodies in the permanent rehabilitation programme was announced.

Opposition charge

But opposition legislators argue that the tsunami relief was tardy and has still not reached many "really affected people." They allege that the distribution of aid was biased. The Pattali Makkal Katchi is taking up the Veeranam scheme extension, charging that tapping of groundwater to the proposed extent could permanently affect the delta region. On the Veerappan question, they say questions remain on how he was gunned down.

More than the others, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is expected to raise the Sankararaman murder case and the cases filed against the Kanchi Sankaracharyas.

The debate on the Governor's address is likely to generate more heat than light, according to officials, who are ready with all facts and figures to substantiate the Government's claims. Tomorrow itself, the opposition parties are likely to make an issue of the Speaker's decision not to read the Tamil translation of the Governor's address.

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