Rs 1,000 cr flood relief package for rain-hit districts

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced a Rs 1,000 crore relief package including housing facilities and loans for MSMEs and Self-Help Groups for the rain-ravaged districts in the state. Following up on his assessment of the damage caused due to rain in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts on December 21, the chief minister chaired a meeting with senior officials in Chennai on Saturday and discussed the help required by various sections affected by the unprecedented floods. He directed the officials to repair partially damaged houses and rebuild completely damaged ones in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. “The chief minister has ordered to provide Rs 4 lakh for fully damaged houses and upto Rs 2 lakh for partially damaged houses. The Rural Development Department will implement the scheme in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts,” an official release here said. Accordingly, 4,577 new houses will be constructed and 9,975 residences will be repaired at a total cost of Rs 385 crore. The entire expenditure will be borne by the state government. Guidelines for this scheme will be issued soon. During his assessment of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts battered by torrential rains on December 17 and 18, Stalin consoled the affected people and assured them to provide appropriate assistance. He announced that Rs 250 crore would be provided as relief to farmers of eight districts who suffered losses for crop damage to 2.64 lakh hectares. These farmers will be accorded priority in extending crop loans and financial assistance for purchasing agricultural equipment through cooperative societies.