7-member Central team arrives in State to assess rain damage
A team of seven members from the Central government landed in Tamil Nadu on Sunday to assess the damages caused by last week’s heavy rains and floods and make a recommendation on the quantum of assistance to the State.
The inter-ministerial Central team will ascertain whether floods in the State can be considered to be of a ‘severe nature’ and make recommendations for additional Central assistance to the State.
The team held preliminary discussions with Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu at the Secretariat and later visited the Ripon Building where Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi explained the damages caused in the city and suburbs.
The team will split into two groups—headed by RB Kaul, consultant, Ministry of Finance, and Rajiv Sharma, joint secretary at Ministry of Home Affairs—and visit the rain-affected districts on Monday and Tuesday, before holding discussions with Chief Minister MK Stalin on November 24.
While one team will visit and assess flood damages in Chennai and neighbouring Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts, another would visit Kanniyakumari the same day. On November 23, one team will visit Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts, while the other will tour Vellore and Ranipet.
The team will leave for Delhi after the meeting with the CM and submit a report to the Centre.
“State govt officials made a presentation on the loss of lives, cattle and property. The team was also shown photographs of damaged crops and properties,” said sources at the Secretariat.
The Chief Minister has already sought Rs 2,629 crore assistance from the Centre. The Central team was sent following the demand.