AIADMK Govt did not take rural work on tsunami funds: Stalin

Chennai, Aug 11 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Local Administration and Rural Development Minister M K Stalin today alleged that the previous AIADMK government had not taken up any rural developmental works on the funds received from external agencies following the tsunami.

In his maiden reply to the debate on the demand for grants for his department, he said funds were received from World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Fund for Agricultural Development for the tsunami rehabilitation works.

The previous Government had not utilised the Rs 1350 crore given by the World Bank and had only spent Rupees five crore of the Rs 301.22 crore financial assistance received from the ADB.

Similarly, the Jayalalithaa Government had not spent Rs 283.69 crore after getting financial approval from the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

He said Rs 11 crore World bank fund allotted for the Municipal Administration for tsunami relief works were left unutilised, while the Government had spent a mere Rs 2.85 crore of the Rs 49 crore allotted by the ADB. Likewise, the previous Government had spent only Rs 46 lakh of the total Rs 88.18 crore ADB funds meant for Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board.

After the DMK government assumed office, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi convened a meeting of the Collectors of the 13 coastal districts and expedited the rehabilitation works, Mr Stalin said and added that Rs 110 crore were released from the World Bank and ADB funds for this purpose.

''Of this, Rs 7.19 crore have been spent till July 31 this year'', he said, amid thumping of desks from the Treasury benches.

UNI GV KVV VA ND1834