"Tsunami relief measures inadequate"

Special Correspondent
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/19/stories/2006051909860400.htm

• Only NGOs built a few houses: Karunanidhi Says Mettur storage level satisfactory
• Sethu project progressing fast Uzhavar Sandhai,'
• Samathuvapuram' schemes to be revived
• New Delhi visit will be planned either by the month-end or after June 3

CUDDALORE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday said the erstwhile Jayalalithaa Government did not take adequate relief measures in the tsunami-hit areas.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Karunanidhi said only non-governmental organisations had constructed a few permanent houses.

The affected kept on sending petitions seeking suitable compensation.

Assurance

Mr. Karunanidhi assured them that the petitions would be scrutinised and appropriate action initiated. About the water release for irrigation from the Mettur dam on June 12, the Chief Minister said he could only say that the storage level was satisfactory. Since, the Assembly was in session, he would not commit on the date.

About the setting up of a desalination plant to tide over the drinking water crisis in Chennai, Mr. Karunanidhi said the problem would be resolved.

Asked whether the New Veeranam Project would be reviewed, he shot back, "Can it [the water drawn so far from the tank for Chennai] be brought back [to the tank]?" The proposal to raise the tank bund level would get due consideration.

Sethu project

He said the Sethusamudhram Channel Project was progressing fast.

Referring to the issue of reservation for Other Backward Classes in Central educational institutions, Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK was always interested in safeguarding social justice.
He alleged that instead of encouraging `Uzhavar Sandhai', the AIADMK government ruined it. He said the `Uzhavar Sandhai' and `Samathuvapuram' schemes would be revived.

Moving response

About the first three orders passed by him, soon after assuming office of Chief Minister, Mr. Karunanidhi said these had been well received by the people. The rousing reception he received on his way to and from Tiruvarur indicated this. He was moved by the response.

Mr. Karunanidhi said his New Delhi visit to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be planned either by the month-end or after June 3. (The Rs. 2 a kg scheme is scheduled for inauguration that day).