The Hindu : National : Patil turns down demand for monitoring mechanism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 08, 2005

National

National

Patil turns down demand for monitoring mechanism

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday turned down a demand of key constituents of the ruling coalition from Tamil Nadu that the Centre set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure proper use of Central assistance for flood relief. At the most the Centre can request the State Government to involve MPs in monitoring relief operations, the Minister said while responding to a call-attention motion in the Lok Sabha on the flood situation in the State.

Cutting across party lines, MPs from Tamil Nadu used the discussion — that went on for nearly two hours — to air their apprehensions about misuse of Central aid as "was the case during the tsunami relief operations."

Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, responding to the debate, said if the members wanted to be involved in the monitoring mechanism, they should approach the Chief Minister. This led to an uproar as members pointed out they had not been able to meet her even once in the four years she has been in office.

Both Mr. Jaiswal and his senior Minister,Mr. Shivraj Patil said that the Rs. 500 crores aid given to the State since the first spell of rain was not for rehabilitation but to provide immediate relief.

As for the State Government's demand for financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 13,685 crores, Mr. Patil said the Centre would release money after detailed plans were submitted.

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

National

News Update

Stories in this Section