The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday continued its hearing on public interest litigation petitions seeking directions to expedite relief measures for the cyclone affected. While the State government filed a status report, the court asked for an additional report.
In its status report, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department submitted that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami had announced that the government would be providing one lakh multi-hazard resistant houses to the affected, along with basic amenities. Relief materials included tarpaulins to cover the roofs of damaged houses and 27 other items. ‘
Monitoring the situation
The report detailed the work taken up by the Tangedco and the Public Health Department and stated that IAS officers and other nodal officers were monitoring the situation. The Centre had sanctioned ₹353.70 crore, the report said. The court also heard two separate PIL petitions, seeking directions for the authorities on relief measures. Petitioner Selvaraj of Pudukottai complained that in Pudukottai, district authorities were demanding proof from the victims on the extent of damages suffered by them. Only then were relief measures being handed over. The authorities were also returning the relief kits, he charged. Petitioner M. Ezhilan sought a direction to enhance the relief package.
A division bench of Justices K.K. Sasidharan and P.D. Audikesavalu sought an additional status report on the relief measures. The court also directed district authorities of Pudukottai to not return the relief materials. The court adjourned the hearing to December 12.
