The State government has been effectively projecting its requirements and successful in getting funds from the Centre, said R.B.Udhayakumar, Revenue Minister, here on Friday.
Tamil Nadu has got the highest allocation of ₹1,448 crore from the Centre as drought relief. “Since we were the worst affected, our requirement is also high. They are aware of this. The Chief Minister has also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister even a few days ago and the Centre has assured us all support. The requirements of various departments are being taken up with the Centre. The Union government too has extended the hand of friendship,” Mr.Udhayakumar said in a brief interaction with media persons here. The Minister earlier chaired a meeting to review drought relief, drinking water supply and other works in Tiruchi, Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts here.
Mr .Udhayakumar claimed that the State government has effectively implemented comprehensive measures to mitigate drought and ensure that the benefits reached the farmers. The government has ordered disbursement of ₹2,247 crore as input subsidy to about 32 lakh drought-affected farmers. “The money is credited to the farmers’ bank accounts directly and we are closely monitoring it. The Chief Minister is also reviewing it constantly,” he said. Besides, the State government has increased its contribution for the crop insurance scheme to ₹522 crore this year, he said.
The government has allotted ₹100 crore additionally for augmenting drinking water supply across the State, after the initial allotment of ₹105 crore. The government has also allotted ₹6.91 crore for supply of cattle feed to farmers. The State government would implement flood control measures in the coastal districts and has sanctioned ₹44 lakh for preparing detail project reports for flood control in eight districts. A State-level plan would also be drawn up and ₹10 lakh has been sanctioned for this from the State Disaster Response Fund.
Tourism Minister Vellamandi N.Natarajan called upon the officials to extend their full cooperation to help farmers lift silt from irrigation tanks to enrich their fields. The funds sanctioned for drought relief measures have been fully implemented in the district, he also said.
S.Valarmathi, Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, said the State government’s recent order allowing farmers to lift silt from irrigation tanks would also help improve their storage capacity.
Member of Parliament T.Rathinavel, Commissioner of Revenue Administration K.Satyagopal, Collectors K.S.Palanisamy (Tiruchi), T.P.Rajesh (Cuddalore), L.Nirmal Raj (Tiruvarur) and A.Annadurai (Thanjavur) and senior officials participated.
