The Hindu Business Line : Jayalalithaa announces relief package

THOSE affected by Sunday's tsunami will get as immediate relief a set comprising a dhoti, a sari and two bedsheets; money to pulses and condiments and utensils and to put up temporary huts; 60 kg of rice; and three litres of kerosene.

Besides, fishermen will get assistance to repair and rebuild their boats and catamarans and to buy nets.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms Jayalalithaa, said this was a relief package to take care of the immediate needs of those affected by the tsunami.

A detailed survey of the damage was underway after which another larger assistance package would be announced.

The first package of relief measures would cost the exchequer Rs 153.37 crore.

Ms Jayalalithaa said in view of the enormity of the tragedy, the next of kin would now get Rs 1 lakh for every person who died in the tragedy.

She said a detailed assessment would be made and a separate package announced, including for fishermen to purchase outboard motors and trawl nets.

She had also urged the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to provide a special package to Tamil Nadu for relief and rehabilitation.

The Chief Minister said steps were being taken to prevent outbreak of epidemic.

She put the total number of dead at 3,925 with Nagapattinam district alone accounting for 2,414.

Those reported missing came to 344 while one lakh persons had been displaced.

On permanent rehabilitation measures, Ms Jayalalithaa said the Government, with the consent of fisherfolk, would try and relocate their colonies away from the coast, quite close to where they now lived.

The Government's effort was to see the rehabilitation process put through in a record time so that the scar was removed and those affected were able to resume their normal life.

She said the Gujarat Chief Minister had sent over a cheque for Rs 5 crore while the Karnataka Chief Minister had said he would give Rs 2 crore. The Orissa Chief Minister had promised all help in dealing with the disaster.

The AIADMK would donate Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund, while a company in which she was a partner would donate Rs 25 lakh, Ms Jayalalithaa said.

The Chief Minister said that those wanting to assist in the relief efforts could hand over their contributions, be it in cash or in kind, to the district Collectors who would in turn send the assistance to the Collectors of the affected districts.

Those outside the State and wanting to assist the relief and rehabilitation efforts could send their contributions to the Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation.

A special cell had been set up in the office of the State Relief.

The telephone number of the special cell was 044-28593990.

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