Chennai, Dec 22: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday accused the central government of not releasing adequate relief fund when many parts of the state are reeling after severe floods.The Chief Minister, who visited the flood-affected areas in southern parts of the state on Thursday said, “In this time of crisis, when the central government is not releasing more funds for us, for the welfare of people, the state government is using its own funds for the relief work”.
Stalin alleged that the Centre has not allotted more funds for the state from the National Disaster Relief Fund, and the Rs 450 crore that was allotted was the second instalment of funds the centre had to pay towards the State Disaster Relief Fund.
“On behalf of the people of Tamilnadu, I repeatedly request the Union Government to release funds from NDRF immediately,” he said.
The Chief Minister, on Wednesday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to appraise him about the flood situation in the state and seek more central assistance.
“When I met PM Modi in Delhi, I asked for Rs 2000 crore as initial financial assistance to mitigate the flood crisis in south Tamil Nadu,” the DMK Chief Minister said.
He added that an estimated amount of more than Rs 500 crore will be spent on restoration and relief work in southern Tamil Nadu, and even more funds will be required to repair damaged roads, hospitals, and other buildings.