CPI urges Centre to expedite sanction of relief

Observing that cylone-Thane had caused extensive damage,the CPI has slammed the Centre for "delay" in sanctioning relief to Puducherry.

It was a pity that the Centre was yet to announce the relief for Puducherry although more than ten days have passed since the cyclone lashed the coast, CPI national secretary D Raja, who visited the storm-ravaged Botanical garden, told reporters here yesterday.

The cyclone had caused very extensive damage in Puducherry and it appeared that the calamity was worse than the one caused by tsunami in 2004,he said.

The Centre should concede the plea of the Puducherry government for sanction of Rs 2500 crore to take up relief works and rehabilitate the cyclone-affected, he said, adding, Centre should expedite sanction of funds.

He said Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy, representing the Puducherry constituency in Lok Sabha, should hold discussions with the Prime Minister and procure the funds.

Puducherry and Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu were the worst hit by the cyloninc storm that crossed the coast on December 30, claiming 46 lives.