Terming the Vardah cyclone in Tamil Nadu as a “serious crisis”, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told Rajya Sabha that the Centre would take all measures to provide relief to the people in the State. Replying to the concerns raised by members from Tamil Nadu, he said the Centre will consider all suggestions by the members.
Members from the Congress, Left and the DMK urged the Centre to provide immediate relief measures and announce a financial package to the State, which is in serious crisis. “While some advance preparation was done by moving the NDRF teams and deploying army columns, the Centre will do whatever is needed to provide relief,” Jaitley said.
Congress leader P Chidambaram said the Centre should respond to the Tamil Nadu government’s request for more financial aid. “State governments usually ask for more and the Centre gives less,” he said, and urged the Centre to announce a package on Wednesday itself. He also urged the Finance Minister to ensure that ATMs and bank branches are replenished so that people can draw their own money.
“The tragedy has been compounded by demonetisation, leaving no cash with the people to buy necessities,” said D Raja, CPI MP. “The Centre should not delay in agreeing to provide ₹1,000 crore sought from the National Disaster Fund,” he said.
Supporting his stand, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said there is no cash with the people to face the tragedy. A litre of milk is being sold at ₹200,” he said, and added that the commercial losses to the State will be around ₹8,000 crore.