Even as the State is limping back to normality after having experienced a severe rainspell in the last five days, the rain-related casualty stood at 83 on Wednesday.
The Nilgiris accounted for the death of 43 persons, followed by seven each in Tirunelveli and Villupuram districts. Cuddalore recorded the death of four persons, Dindigul – three and Ramanathapuram, Tiruvarur, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar and Vellore – two each. Other districts accounted for the remaining nine. [The overall figure took into account those who died since October 1]. 143 heads of cattle perished.
CM’s statement
Giving the figures of solatium distributed under different heads during the present Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime and the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) rule, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said that in 2005 when the AIADMK was in power, the overall soaltium given was Rs. 931 crore in 22 districts. But, a sum of Rs. 1,027 crore was given in 12 districts in 2008. Rain-hit farmers were given compensation of Rs. 4,500 per hectare during the previous AIADMK regime whereas the norm was liberalised during the DMK rule and the compensation given was Rs. 7,500 per hectare. To each of those who were covered under the crop insurance scheme, Rs. 10,000 was given per hectare.
Mr Karunanidhi gave an account of the action taken by his government in the wake of the recent spell.
