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Monday, Jul 30, 2007
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VS threatens satyagraha in Delhi

Staff Reporter

Against alleged non-cooperation of Centre in providing flood relief

State matters: M.P. Veerendrakumar, MP, has a word with Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan during a meeting to review monsoon calamities, at the Wayanad Collectorate on Sunday. Mananthavadi MLA K.C. Kunhiraman is seen.

Kozhikode: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has threatened to take the issue of non-cooperation of the Centre in providing relief to the disaster-hit State to 7 Race Course Road, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s official residence.

Addressing a news conference at Kalpetta in Wayanad after conducting a whirlwind tour of the calamity-hit district on Sunday, Mr. Achuthanandan said that he had planned a ‘satyagraha,’ along with his Cabinet colleagues and Members of the Parliament from the State, in front of the Prime Minister’s residence to protest against the “callous attitude” of the Centre. “I have informed him of staging a sit-in and if he does not want to face such an embarrassing situation, he should respond immediately,” he said.

An all-party delegation from the State had met the Prime Minister to provide assistance to the State. Then he had suggested sending a Central team to visit the disaster-hit regions for preparing a report. However, the State Government declined the offer because of the disappointment it had in the previous year.

The State exchequer had to shell out Rs. 40 lakh for the Central teams visit last year, but the State received no financial aid, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

He said that the State had incurred a loss of Rs. 1,500 crore this monsoon. Over 200 persons were killed and thousands affected. Now the Government was diverting funds meant for development activities to undertake relief measures as the Centre failed to respond.

He lauded the efforts of district officials in mitigating the suffering of people put up in several relief camps.

The Government machinery was sincerely taking stock of the situation, he said.

Mr. Achuthanandan, who began his tour in the morning, visited the flood-hit regions of Venniyod, Kottathara and Meppadi and participated in local gatherings at Mananthavady Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Kuhom AUP School and Meppadi Panchayat Community Hall. He also held a meeting with officials and elected representatives at the Collectorate in Kalpetta.

Minister for Forest Benoy Viswom; M.P. Veerendrakumar MP; M.V. Sreyamskumar, P. Krishna Prasad and K.C. Kunhiraman, MLAs, accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.

‘Contribute to fund’

Special Correspondent writes from Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Minister has called upon all to contribute liberally to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund in view of the continuing fever epidemic and floods in the State.

Though the State sought an urgent aid of Rs.250 crore from the Centre, nothing was provided so far, he noted.

He said the State Government, voluntary agencies and local self-government Institutions (LSGIs) were doing their best to contain the fever epidemic. Funds were needed for this, the Chief Minister said. Recalling that the Ministers had decided to contribute a month’s salary to the relief fund, the Chief Minister said MLAs and other people’s representatives were expected to follow suit. People from different walks of life, including employees in cooperatives and private institutions, should come forward to make contributions.

He said a Minister had been assigned the task of coordinating the efforts in each district.Contributions may be sent as cheque or demand draft drawn in favour of the Principal Secretary (Finance), who is the treasurer of the fund, or remitted directly to treasury account No.TPA 80.

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