TN Guv lauds Jaya's "astute leadership" during floods

Chennai, Jan 20: Stoutly defending the state's handling of the flood situation which snowballed into a major political issue, Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah today praised the astute leadership of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who helped in restoring normalcy in the flood-hit areas.

In his customary address to Tamil Nadu assembly, the Governor summed up the overall progress made by the AIADMK government in various spheres in the last four and a half years.

"Under the astute leadership of the Chief Minister, the state machinery brought back normalcy to the flood affected areas in a very short span of time," he said. Opposition parties, including the DMK, DMDK and Left parties had strongly criticised the government over its handling of the flood situation and opening of surplus waters from Chembarambakkam Reservoir here.

On the opening day of the House's first session after the deluge, the Governor detailed the torrential rains and its effects like damages to crops, livestock and infrastructure. He said the able leadership of Jayalalaithaa minimised the loss of human lives.

"The state government acted swiftly and co-ordination teams comprising ministers and senior officials were deployed. Massive rescue and relief operations were carried out on a war footing," he said. It was a "commendable achievement" of the Health department that there was no outbreak of any epidemic disease, he said.

"While wholeheartedly appreciating the state for the exemplary work in restoring normalcy after the deluge, I place on record my appreciation for the spontaneous response from the public, youth and institutions."

The Governor also referred to the comprehensive relief package being implemented by the state for the flood hit including farmers. Noting that a supplementary memorandum estimating the requirements for financial assistance to the tune of Rs 17,432 crore was presented to the Centre, he urged the Union government to immediately sanction the same.

As part of the Vision 2023 initiative, Rosaiah noted that "of the 217 identified projects, implementation of 84 projects are rapidly progressing and others are at various stages of preparation."

Under the State Balanced Growth Fund to address regional imbalances in socio-economic development, so far, 445 projects have been approved at an outlay of Rs 230 crore, he said.

On the law and order front, the Governor said, "Effective maintenance of law and order has turned Tamil Nadu into a haven of peace and tranquillity on which the socio-economic development rests."

PTI