Members of both Houses of Parliament came together to express concern over the massive floods in Tamil Nadu and offer support to the rescue and relief efforts.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and Rajya Sabha MP, M. Kanimozhi put across the MPs’ concern by saying that, “It is time for all political parties to unite in the face of this calamity” and get behind the Central and State government’s efforts at relief work. Her party is arch rival to the ruling AIADMK government in the State.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha took up discussions on the matter on an urgent basis as the seriousness of the situation came to light.
Venkaiah’s personal noteParliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu injected a personal tone to the proceedings in the Lok Sabha saying his daughter and granddaughter had sent him pictures of Chennai and he was “moved by plight of ordinary people there.”
“The flood is the worst in 100 years and was unprecedented and unheard of. It is time for Parliament to convey to people that be confident. It is not the time to criticise the government. The Navy, Army, NDRF have been pressed into action and if there is need for any further support that too will be sent,” he added.
Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh said the incessant rains in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh were making it difficult for a clear assessment of the floods. “Floods depend on local reasons too, including the flow of water and encroachments blocking the outflow,” he said in the Lok Sabha.
AIADMK MP T.G. Venkatesh Babu urged the Centre to consider the request of the State for the Rs. 8,480 crore that it has asked for, for relief and rehabilitation.
In the Rajya Sabha, CPI MP D. Raja asked that the floods in the State be considered a calamity, so that MPs could send contributions for flood relief from the Member of Parliament Local Area Development funds available to every member. The chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, has promised to look work out the details.
The MPs also demanded a similar concern for Andhra Pradesh. Telugu Desam Party MP Thota Narasimhan said financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore should be given to the State for relief operations.
Rajamohan Reddy MP from the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Congress (YSRCP) said that standing crops and poultry had been damaged due to heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh and the Centre should come to the rescue of the people.
