Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Take Appropriate Measures For The Rehabilitation Of Tsunami Affected ... on 14 March, 2005
> Title: Need to take appropriate measures for the rehabilitation of Tsunami affected fishermen of Chidambaram Parliamentary Constituency, Tamil Nadu.
SHRI E. PONNUSWAMY (CHIDAMBARAM): The people of my constituency, Chidambaram in Cuddalore District in the State of Tamil Nadu have been worst affected by Tsunami. Besides deaths, which were nearly 500, more than a lakh of people have been suddenly rendered homeless. Since most of the people are pulling their lives by fishing, they have now no other go but to expect succour from the Governments of Tamil Nadu and India. Now they have been provided only food and some make-shift (temporary) shelter. They are in dire need of boats and nets to re-start their livelihood. Scores of villages which were affected by the Tsunami disaster need to be resurrected. The Government of India has released Rs.717 crore till now towards this work in Tamil Nadu out of allocated funds of Rs.1260 crore. Yet the fishermen in Cuddalore, Devanampatinam, Bhuvanagiri, Killai, Kurinjipadi, Parangipettai and surrounding areas have not been provided with boats and nets. The Government of India should earmark the quantum of funds and should release it district-wise, in order to facilitate faster recovery of Tsunami-hit areas. They should be provided permanent shelter early as had been provided in earthquake-hit Gujarat, entrusting the work to an agency of high reputation so that the massive work could be done fast without time and cost over run. I would like to urge the Governments to do the needful fast without any time let up.