'Centre, state failed to provide relief to flood-hit victims in TN'

Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi on Thursday accused the BJP government at the Centre for not providing adequate relief to the flood-affected Tamil Nadu.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) president also said the Centre failed to settle insurance claims for the rain-hit victims as well as small scale industries.

"The Union Finance Minister promised that insurance claims submitted by flood victims will be settled in 4 weeks. Now it’s 4 months, no such thing has happened," she said.

Stating that the AIADMK government had not come to the rescue of flood-affected people, Sonia asked, "Did they lend a helping hand to you and provided the solace you need?"

Claiming that the Centre has reduced allocations for various welfare schemes for SC, ST, women and children, Sonia said the AIADMK did not protest against this and continues to  support the Modi government in Parliament.

On the DMK-Congress combine's promise of introducing prohibition in the state, the AICC leader said, "Because of our strong and uncomprising position on banning liquor, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was forced to clarify her position."

Stating that the Indian fishermen were continously attacked by Lankan navy besides capturing their boats in the mid-sea, the Congress chief said ''the Modi government, instead of protecting the fishermen, was allowing foreign fishermen to come to our waters for fishing, following which lakhs of fishermen families were under severe stress."

Sonia also alleged that the development and progress of the state have come to a stand still.