DMK, AIADMK cross swords over utilisation of tsunami funds

Chennai, July 27 (UNI) The ruling DMK and the Opposition AIADMK crossed swords in the State Assembly today over the implementation of relief and rehabilitation measures for tsunami-affected people.

Intervening in a discussion on the state budget for the year 2006-2007, Revenue and Law Minister I Periyasamy said the previous AIADMK regime had only provided relief package to the affected people but had not taken effort for their permanent rehabilitation.

Though the Government received funds to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore from the Centre and other financial organisations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), it did not spend much for permanent relief, he said.

Even the Rs 1,000 crore received from the Centre had not been spent fully, he added.

In reply, Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam said the AIADMK government provided immediate relief to the affected people within a week and housed them in temporary shelters.

''After an assessment that 613 hectares of land would be needed to built permanent houses for the tsunami victims, the Government acquired 511 hectares of poramboke and temple lands. The AIADMK Government initiated preliminary works for construction of permanent houses, but the election intervened and there was change of government,'' he added.

Mr Periyasamy raised a question as to how non-government organisations were able to built about 10,000 permanent houses while the Government was not able to accomplish it.

Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said the AIADMK Government was more interested in doling out cash assistance to the affected people, instead of constructing permanent houses for them.

When there were floods in the state, cash assistance was given to all people including those not affected by the calamity, he charged.

Earlier, participating in the discussion, Mr V P Kalairajan (AIADMK) said even international leaders like former US President Bill Clinton had praised the relief measures undertaken by the AIADMK Government for the tsunami victims.

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