Pondy Govt to ensure rehabilitation of tsunami victims

Pondicherry, Sep 14 (UNI) Pondicherry Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner B V Selvaraj today said that the rehabilitation of the tsunami victims was undertaken to ensure upgradation in quality of life.

Inaugurating a two-day media conference on 'Restructuring and Rehabilitation of tsunami victims and the role of media 'jointly organised by 'Asia Media Information and Communication Centre', New Delhi and 'Media Education for awareness and Cultural transformation', here, Mr Selvaraj said the Planning Commission and other high-powered bodies had lauded the performance of the Project Implementation Agency(PIA) here.

They said PIA pattern should be taken as a role model whenever natural disasters affect the people and the community.

Paying tributes to the responsible role played by the fourth estate in Pondicherry, dissiminating information about relief and rehabilitation work without sensationalising the activities of the Government, Mr Selvaraj said the Government is adopting a transparent approach at every stage.

He said that the Government would ensure that every village affected by tsunami are made model villages with all amenities.

Inaugurating the Conference, PMK Parliamentary party leader M Ramadass objected to the Chief Minister's announcement that each of the fishermen families would be given Rs 2.30 lakh for the construction of houses.

Prof Ramadass alleged that this woud not help the victims, who would fritter away the money. The Government should, instead, construct houses for them, he added.

Consul General of France in Pondicherry Ms Juelle Rayet and Nandini, country manager, Asia Media Information and Communication Centre were among others, who adressed the gathering.

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