The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Centre awaiting details of flood relief package sought by Tamil Nadu, says Dasmunsi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 07, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Centre awaiting details of flood relief package sought by Tamil Nadu, says Dasmunsi

Special Correspondent

Says it demonstrated "uncompromising commitment during tsunami" As the Centre was keen on preserving and promoting heritage, it had declared Tamil as classical language, says Minister

HIGHLIGHTING PERFORMANCE: A cultural show by Film & Dance Division at the `Destination India' a multimedia campaign of the Government of India in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: The Centre is awaiting further details of the flood relief and rehabilitation package sought by Tamil Nadu, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister P.R. Dasmunsi said on Friday.

Addressing the multi-media campaign organised by his Ministry at Meenambakkam near here, Mr. Dasmunsi said the Centre had sanctioned Rs. 1,000 crore for the State. When tsunami hit Tamil Nadu and other States in December 2004, it had demonstrated "uncompromising commitment" in providing support.

Listing schemes launched by the Centre, he said it had proposed a programme to extend power supply to all the uncovered areas in a phased manner. This would be achieved by 2012. Under the programme, Central grant would meet 90 per cent of the project cost.

Mr. Dasmunsi, who is also in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs, said as the Centre was keen on preserving and promoting heritage, it had declared Tamil as classical language.

Referring to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's criticism of Union Environment and Forests Minister A.Raja, for "stalling" the execution of a desalination project, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R.Baalu, said the State Pollution Control Board had taken a year to clear a desalination project mooted by Chennai Petroleum Corporation.

But within three months of the signing the agreement for the desalination project proposed by the State Government, Mr. Raja had raised queries on issues which could not be termed objectionable.

One of the queries related to the possible impact on livelihood of the coastal community.

Clearance not obtained

Pointing out that the proposed site of the State Government's desalination project was near a minor port, Mr. Baalu said the project promoter had not obtained clearance from a committee, headed by the Director General of Shipping, which dealt with the safety of ports.

Members of Parliament E.M.Sudarsana Nachiappan and A.K. Moorthy and poet Vairamuthu took part in the function on the second day of the four-day event.

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