The Fisheries Department will intercede with the Chief Minister to secure houses for fisherfolk who have not yet received their allotment post-tsunami, Fisheries Minister K.P.P. Samy said on Saturday.
Addressing a function organised to inaugurate a community hall, ice plant and school constructed by Rotary International District 3230 at Pulicat, near here, Mr. Samy said he had received representations that some families were yet to get houses. He assured the community that he would ensure that they get their due as soon as possible. He thanked the Rotary Foundation and various sponsors who had helped rebuild the community at Pulicat.
Benjamin Cherian, chairman, Tsunami Relief Committee, RI District 3230, said they had spent a total of Rs.20 crore on relief and rehabilitation post-tsunami. The Sakaal Group of Publications from Maharashtra had sponsored the community hall and helped in renovation of schools. The ice plant was funded by Rotary Club of Pune Central RI District 9680 and the new school by the National Solidarity Fund of RI.
Pratap Pawar, chairman and managing director, Sakaal Group, said they had spent about Rs.4 crore, which had come as donations from readers, on tsunami relief and rehabilitation projects, of which Rs.1.70 crore was given to Tamil Nadu. He thanked N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, for having referred the Rotary Club's projects so that the money would be utilised well.
Mr. Ram said the amount had been utilised very well by Rotary for the welfare of fishermen in Pulicat. He also highlighted the concept of social responsibility, especially that of newspapers. The Hindu had also received overwhelming response to the appeal for funds, having managed to collect Rs.12.7 crore, which was handed over to the government for tsunami relief and rehabilitation work.
Kalyan Banerjee, chairman, National Solidarity Fund, said Rotary was committed to helping communities ravaged by the tsunami.
A bulletin chronicling the work done by the Tsunami Relief Committee was released on the occasion.
P.K.Basu, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, New Delhi, said the tsunami was a wake-up call for better preparedness.
It had also demonstrated the ability of the government and various segments of civil society to work in coordination.
