PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee president A Namassivayam on Thursday criticised the “relaxed” approach of the N Rangasamy-led government in making an estimate of the damage suffered in the recent rains.
Talking to reporters on Thursday, he alleged that the Chief Minister did not take any step to invite a Central team for assessing the damage caused, whereas the neighbouring Kottakuppam and Reddychavady were being inspected by a Central team following Tamil Nadu government’s timely initiative.
He said the government should take responsibility for the delay in providing rain relief to the affected.
Namassivayam said the Chief Minister should have taken the lead to fix the responsibility and make sure that the officials submitted the assessment at the earliest.
He said the residents, workers and farmers bore the brunt of the rains. Over 275 houses were damaged, while two persons lost their lives in the rains, he said.
On the damage caused to banana, rice, sugarcane and tapioca cultivation, Namassivayam said the farmers were not given any relief so far.
He said Lieutenant Governor Ajay Kumar Singh had visited the affected areas and assured farmers about compensation as per the norms. On the Chief Minister’s reported statement that there was not much damage, the PCC chief wanted Rangasamy to make it clear whether there was any difference of opinion between the L-G and him regarding rain relief.
Namassivayam said farmers should be provided Rs 20,000 per acre as rain relief and also urged that loans should be waived.
The PCC chief urged the government to immediately repair the damaged roads, desilt the drains, clear the garbage as more rains are likely in the coming days.
The Congress has convened a meeting on November 30, Namassivayam said, adding that if the government failed to come up with a firm action to provide relief, then the party will organise agitations.
The meeting will also decide on the political course of action in the coming days, ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled next year.