<p>Chennai: Under all-round criticism for the poor handling of relief work post-Cyclone Michaung, the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced Rs 6,000 as one-time assistance to families whose livelihood was affected due to the rains and subsequent floods and increased the compensation to families of those who died from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.</p><p>Chief Minister M K Stalin, after chairing a meeting of ministers and senior officials, announced that the financial assistance in cash would be handed over to the beneficiaries at their respective ration shops. However, there is no word on the number of people or families in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts that will receive the cash dole-out. </p><p>Officials said discussions are on at the “highest levels” to arrive at the beneficiaries list and that the Government Order (GO) regarding this, which is likely to be released in a day or two, will contain detailed information about the scheme.</p><p>The announcement by Stalin comes after intense criticism from several quarters over the "poor handling" of the relief and rehabilitation work. At least a couple of ministers, Chennai Mayor R Priya, and legislators representing constituencies in Chennai were gheraoed by angry residents due to the non-availability of milk, essential items, and the failure to provide immediate food and drainage of water from their localities.</p><p>Though rains stopped on the night of December 4, normalcy is yet to be completely restored in parts of the city. Thousands of Chennaiites had to be evacuated from their localities by boats due to massive water-logging in low-lying areas.</p><p>“The Chief Minister has ordered disbursement of Rs 6,000 as relief to people who lost their livelihood due to the impact of Cyclone Michaung,” an official statement said. It added that the families of those who died due to the floods will get Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia, while the assistance for people who lost their huts will be enhanced to Rs 8,000 from Rs 5,000.</p><p>The relief amount for crops, whose damage is beyond 33 per cent, will be increased to Rs 17,000 from Rs 13,500, per hectare, while the compensation for perennial crops and trees will be enhanced to Rs 22,500 from Rs 18,000. For catamarans that have been completely damaged, the compensation will be Rs 50,000 from the current Rs 32,000, and for partially damaged boats, the amount will be increased to Rs 15,000 from Rs 10,000, the Chief Minister said.</p><p>For mechanised boats, the compensation will be increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh, the statement added.</p>
<p>Chennai: Under all-round criticism for the poor handling of relief work post-Cyclone Michaung, the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced Rs 6,000 as one-time assistance to families whose livelihood was affected due to the rains and subsequent floods and increased the compensation to families of those who died from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.</p><p>Chief Minister M K Stalin, after chairing a meeting of ministers and senior officials, announced that the financial assistance in cash would be handed over to the beneficiaries at their respective ration shops. However, there is no word on the number of people or families in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu districts that will receive the cash dole-out. </p><p>Officials said discussions are on at the “highest levels” to arrive at the beneficiaries list and that the Government Order (GO) regarding this, which is likely to be released in a day or two, will contain detailed information about the scheme.</p><p>The announcement by Stalin comes after intense criticism from several quarters over the "poor handling" of the relief and rehabilitation work. At least a couple of ministers, Chennai Mayor R Priya, and legislators representing constituencies in Chennai were gheraoed by angry residents due to the non-availability of milk, essential items, and the failure to provide immediate food and drainage of water from their localities.</p><p>Though rains stopped on the night of December 4, normalcy is yet to be completely restored in parts of the city. Thousands of Chennaiites had to be evacuated from their localities by boats due to massive water-logging in low-lying areas.</p><p>“The Chief Minister has ordered disbursement of Rs 6,000 as relief to people who lost their livelihood due to the impact of Cyclone Michaung,” an official statement said. It added that the families of those who died due to the floods will get Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia, while the assistance for people who lost their huts will be enhanced to Rs 8,000 from Rs 5,000.</p><p>The relief amount for crops, whose damage is beyond 33 per cent, will be increased to Rs 17,000 from Rs 13,500, per hectare, while the compensation for perennial crops and trees will be enhanced to Rs 22,500 from Rs 18,000. For catamarans that have been completely damaged, the compensation will be Rs 50,000 from the current Rs 32,000, and for partially damaged boats, the amount will be increased to Rs 15,000 from Rs 10,000, the Chief Minister said.</p><p>For mechanised boats, the compensation will be increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh, the statement added.</p>