The Hindu : Front Page : Relief won't be distributed on Sundays: Government

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005

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Relief won't be distributed on Sundays: Government

Vani Doraisamy

It will be given only for a maximum of 500 ration cards a day at a relief distribution centre

CHENNAI: In a direct response to the stampede at MGR Nagar on Sunday in which 42 persons lost their lives, the State Government has decided to do away with relief distribution on Sundays.

Furthermore, relief will be distributed only for a maximum of 500 ration cards a day at a relief distribution centre, official sources say.

Crowd regulation

This is to prevent large crowds from congregating in front of the centres, one of the reasons believed to be responsible for Sunday's tragedy.

A similar tragedy at arelief distribution centre at Vyasarpadi in north Chennai had also took place on a Sunday (November 6).

Huge turnouts on Sundays are attributed to the fact that relief seekers are desperate to collect aid on a holiday so as not to miss a working day.

The Government will also ensure that no valid beneficiary is left out.

Date to be announced soon

Those unable to collect the relief material on the designated day can approach the taluk office any day thereafter and claim it.

Relief distribution at MGR Nagar, which was stopped after Sunday's incident, will resume on a date to be announced soon.

Those who collected relief materials such as rice, kerosene, saris and dhotis on Saturday, but not the cash compensation of Rs. 2,000, can do so on Wednesday, officials said.

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