The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Karunanidhi hopeful of adequate flood relief from Centre

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Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi hopeful of adequate flood relief from Centre

Special Correspondent

Says he has requested Manmohan, Sonia to allocate amount sought by State

Some criticism of flood relief ‘motivated’
Parties should obtain permission before protesting

CHENNAI: Though the State did not receive substantial part of the flood relief it had sought from the Centre after the last floods, the government was hopeful that this time around, it would get the amount requested for flood relief, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Monday.

Asked if it was true that the State did not receive even 10 per cent of the amount sought as relief after the last floods, Mr. Karunanidhi said that he had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA president Sonia Gandhi to allocate the amount that the State government had asked for this time. “I am hopeful that we will get to the extent that we have asked for.” On the Opposition parties’ criticism of flood relief operations, he said it was their duty to criticise shortcomings of the government. Course corrections would be undertaken by the government, if required, and it would function with a renewed sense of purpose and speed. But, he said that some parties were criticising the government even when it was acting fast and providing relief. They were organising protests, road rokos and demonstrations. This was purely motivated by political considerations. Mr.Karunanidhi said parties should indulge in such agitations after obtaining police permission. They should not cause hindrance to people or traffic. If the rules were not followed, the government would be forced to act as per the law. On permanent measures needed to for tackling the damage cause by floods, he said steps would be taken to ensure all government departments functioned in a coordinated manner.

Commenting on the fiscal stimulus package announced by the government, Mr. Karunanidhi hoped that the steps would help India’s progress.

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