Permit state to supply aid, TN urges Centre
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution urging the Centre to positively consider the state government’s request to immediately dispatch food and life-saving medicines to the economiccrisis hit Sri Lanka as Chief Minister M K Stalin stressed on the need for the state to extend humanitarian aid to the island republic on time.
The resolution, piloted by Stalin, was unanimously passed by the House, including the opposition AIADMK and the BJP. Interestingly, apart from extending support to the government resolution, deputy leader of the opposition AIADMK O Panneerselvam pledged ₹50 lakh in his personal capacity, to be extended as aid.
“We can’t see the development in Sri Lanka as the neighbouring country’s internal issue. We need to extend aid humanitarian aid...help should be prompt, on time,” the Chief Minister said moving the resolution.
Recalling his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month on the issue, Stalin said he followed it up with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar but there has been no response from the Centre so far. “Hence, I have been constrained to move this resolution,” he said.
Referring to the DMK’s longstanding commitment for the Ealam Tamils, Stalin said said “it is the stand of this government that we should now extend” a humanitarian assistance.
The state government has decided to provide 40,000 tonnes of rice, 137 types of life-saving drugs and 500 tonnes of milk powder for children, all valued at an estimated ₹123 crore.
“A timely help is true help,” the CM said.