CHENNAI: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary Jayalalithaa on Sunday denied Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's charge that her Government had spent only Rs. 806.32 crore on tsunami relief measures, though the Centre had sanctioned Rs. 2,347.19 crore.

Terming Mr. Karunanidhi's remark "blatant lie," Ms. Jayalalithaa said in a statement here that she had "exposed," every now and then, "falsehoods" on tsunami relief and Central assistance.

She said the AIADMK regime had sought Rs. 9,800 crore as assistance. The Centre had announced that Rs. 2,347.19 crore would be sanctioned, but released only Rs. 820.31 crore. As the Centre adopted a "step-motherly attitude," her Government, at its own initiative, disbursed Rs. 1,136 crore for relief and rehabilitation measures.

"Widely acclaimed"

She said the previous regime's actions had won the acclaim of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former U.S. President and United Nations' special envoy Bill Clinton, members of the Central officials' team, World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Referring to Mr. Karunanidhi's remark that the Centre and funding agencies including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank had sanctioned Rs. 4,897.07 crore for relief measures, she said the international funding agencies had offered assistance because of her efforts. Though Mr. Karunanidhi was trying to give an impression that the agencies had allocated funds at his initiative, the "false propaganda" could not evoke any response from people.

During the previous regime, not only officials but also Ministers participated in the review meetings on tsunami relief and rehabilitation work, Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

An all-party meeting was held on January 7, 2005 to discuss issues related to the extent of damage caused by tsunami and long-term rehabilitation measures required.

She referred to various short-term and long-term measures undertaken by her government to ensure rehabilitation of different sections of people.

Clearing of files

Ms. Jayalalithaa criticised the Chief Minister for his remark at a recent meeting that he had to clear some files not signed by her. Though she had to sign hundreds of files when she assumed charge as Chief Minister in 2001 as they had not been cleared by her predecessor, she did not publicise it.

Instead of attempting to "divert the attention" of the people, the Chief Minister should take steps to release Rs.7,000 crore due to cooperative banks after the cooperative farm loans were waived. She urged the Government to immediately provide fresh farm loans to the tune of Rs.1,000 crore.

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