Solatium announced for families of lightning victims

Chennai, Apr 18 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today announced a financial assistance of Rs one lakh to the families of eight people who were struck by lightning at Vikravandi in Villuppuram district last night.

Making a statement under Rule 110 in the state assembly, finance minister K Anbazhagan said while Rs 50,000 would be given from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, a similar amount was sanctioned from the Accident Relief Fund.

He said soon after hearing about the incident, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had deputed Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy and MLAs Pushparaj and Kannan to rush to the spot along with District Collector and Police officials to undertake relief operations.

The assistance of Rs one lakh was given to the families by the minister, he said and added that based on the recommendations from the district Collector, necessary assistance would be given to the injured.

UNI