The Hindu : Front Page : DMK Chief rebukes Ministers

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Tuesday, Nov 22, 2005

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DMK Chief rebukes Ministers

Special Correspondent

"A few Central Ministers" may not be aware of "corruption" in relief administration

CHAIRING THE MEET: DMK president M. Karunanidhi with his party MPs at a meeting at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai on Monday. — Photo: Vino John

CHENNAI: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi on Monday rebuked "a few Central Ministers," for not following up closely, the tsunami relief administration in the State.

Though he did not mention them by name, Mr. Karunanidhi hastened to add that he did not mean the Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu.

Talking to reporters after chairing a meeting with the Members of Parliament of the DMK at the party head office, he said "a few Ministers" in the Union Government might not be aware of "corruption" in the relief administration and the fact that those who had lost houses had not been given alternative accommodation. But people knew the truth.

Mr. Karunanidhi was responding to a query on the distribution of relief money to the flood-hit people.

Criticising the Government for making people run from pillar to post for receiving the money, he said when the DMK was in power, financial assistance was provided to people after proper assessment and preparation of rolls listing names of the affected.

Asked whether he would approach the Centre for getting flood relief funds, Mr. Karunanidhi said these could be given only through the State Government and not through a party.

"Kushboo affair"

On the controversy arising out of actress Kushboo's comments on pre-marital sex, the DMK leader said neither did he wish to involve himself in any controversy nor did he like anyone doing that.

Asked about the Chennai Corporation Commissioner convening the Council meeting, he said this was one of the "wonders" of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government.

The duly elected Mayor was unseated by enacting a law. The whereabouts of the Deputy Mayor were not known. One did not how the "story" of the Corporation Council would end.

Resolutions

Earlier, the meeting adopted a resolution calling upon the State Government to disburse the relief money of Rs. 2,000 each to every flood-hit family and Rs. 5,000 an acre to farmers. It faulted the State Government for "ineffective" flood management.

Through another resolution, the party called upon the State Government to set up all-party committees in each district to oversee flood relief management.

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