The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `Relief for Andaman farmers inadequate'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Relief for Andaman farmers inadequate'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 21. The Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry today said the compensation given to the tsunami-hit agriculturists on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was grossly inadequate.

Expressing disappointment over the package announced by the Union Government, the chamber president, Mohammed H. Jadwet, said that as regards the fishing sector, the subsidy component should be increased considering the high cost of fishing implements on the islands. This was necessary because it would not be possible for fishermen to service loans which carried interest. No compensation and rehabilitation package had been formulated for trade and industry which had suffered direct and indirect losses due to the tsunami strike. No special package had been announced for the tourism sector which was losing over Rs. 40 lakhs daily.

The Government should favourably consider the suggestions made by the chamber and the administration. It should revive the island's economy by providing relief, interest-free working capital loans to restart trade, waiver of interest on loans and income-tax holidays. This would help meet the just demands and enable the islands to repair its ravaged economy, Mr. Jadwet said in a press release.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu