In view of the severe losses suffered by farmers primarily in the Delta districts, Opposition parties in the State Legislative Assembly on Friday urged the AIADMK government to waive farm and educational loans in Cyclone Gaja-hit areas. They also called upon the State government to ensure relief materials and support reached remote areas.
Speaking on the special calling attention motion moved by the Opposition parties, DMK president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin urged the State government to waive farm loans advanced by nationalised and cooperative banks in the cyclone-hit areas. Mr. Stalin also called upon the government to waive educational loans and loans taken by fishermen and self-help groups in the area.
MLA Durai. Chandrasekaran (Thiruvaiyaru) said relief materials being distributed by the State government had not reached remote areas.
“The compensation announced by the State government is also quite low,” he contended. The DMK legislator also invited the Chief Minister to visit the areas again to see for himself the devastation caused by the natural calamity.
‘Lackadaisical approach’
The damages due to the cyclone had dragged the districts behind 30 years, he said, and pointed out that the number of coconut trees uprooted were higher but Revenue Department officials were not taking into account the coconut trees on both nanjai and punjai lands. Mr. Chandrasekaran also pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not visited the cyclone-affected areas, which was later endorsed by AIADMK MLA M. Thamimun Ansari (Nagapattinam).
Congress Legislative Party leader K.R. Ramasamy (Karaikudi) charged that the State government was “lackadaisical” in the distribution of relief materials. Mr. Ramasamy urged the State to fight to get funds from the Centre.
The supply of electricity has not been restored in several places, pointed out Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA K.A.M. Muhammed Abubacker (Kadayanallur).
The BJP government at the Centre did not grant the funds even on humanitarian grounds and only less than 10% of the funds sought were granted, he added.
