The State government on Tuesday decided to set apart Rs.500 crore for distribution of relief money to those affected by floods and execution of temporary restoration works of roads and tanks.
A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi took the decision at its meeting at the new Secretariat-Assembly complex.
The government also decided to approach the Centre for assistance of Rs.1,607 crore under the National Disaster Relief Fund for carrying out permanent restoration works and compensating farmers for crop loss.
An official release stated that the cattle loss stood at 5,068. A compensation of Rs.10,000 would be given for every head of milch cow/buffalo; Rs.5,000 per calf; Rs.1,000 per goat and Rs.30 for each piece of poultry.
The number of persons who died was 203. A relief assistance of Rs.2 lakh was being paid each to families of the dead.
An amount of Rs.5,000 would be given to dwellers of each fully damaged hut and Rs.2,500 for every partially affected hut. The payment would be made in a week. As of now, 8,000 huts had been assessed as fully damaged and 40,000 huts, partially affected.
In a few days, the final figure regarding the number of huts affected will be arrived at, the release said. Besides, 3.2 lakh houses, which were not huts, had been affected. A sum of Rs.1,500 would be given immediately for every house.
For fisher folk, an amount of Rs.7,500 would be given to every person who lost boat, catamaran and nets completely and Rs.2,500 for carrying out repairs in the event of partial damage to their properties.
On the basis of reports of District Collectors and special officers, approximately 15 lakh acres of crop area have been inundated. Once the water level recedes, a comprehensive assessment will be made.
To those who lost 50 per cent of paddy crop, Rs.8,000 per hectare would be given and in the case of other crops, relief would be given as per approved norms.
Senior officers deputed by the government to assess the flood situation in nine districts would remain commissioners and continue to monitor the execution of relief works.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister held discussion with the officers. The Cabinet, before taking the decisions, deliberated upon reports submitted by the officials.
The government also decided that long-term flood protection and drainage projects should be formulated to provide a permanent remedy to the problem of flooding in Cuddalore and the Cauvery delta.
