Tamil Nadu govt failed to act ahead of monsoon: EPS

CHENNAI: Continuing his tirade against the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday said it had failed to act ahead of the monsoon resulting in several areas under sheets of water which would also lead to contamination and communicable diseases.
He demanded that the government extend a compensation of Rs 30,000 per hectare for crop loss to the farmers and an early compensation under PM’s crop insurance scheme.
Speaking to reporters at Poonamallee after visiting the rain-affected areas, the former chief minister said the previous AIADMK government used to plan well ahead of monsoon by appointing IAS officers for each zone and they would assess the situation. Soon after the meteorology department’s forecast of heavy rain, they would go to the allotted areas and would arrange high power motor pumps to remove rainwater. Now, the DMK government’s lack of competence had come to the fore.
“Storm water has not yet receded even after eight days. Here in Panayathamman Nagar, water was removed after coming to know of my visit here. Similarly, pump sets are now used to remove water from areas inundated due to surplus from Paruthipattu and Paleripattu tanks. Even medical camps have not been organised though an announcement has been made,” EPS said, while taking a dig at the rivals for calling Stalin, “a super CM.”
Accusing chief minister M K Stalin of making false allegations against the AIADMK on poor drain network, Palaniswami listed out several hundred crores of work implemented by the previous AIADMK regime to strengthen water bodies in Chennai and suburbs. However, the DMK government despite a lapse of six months of coming to power, had still not opened several AIADMK projects, including police residential quarters in Thirumullaivoyal, Annanur flyover, and Tidel park in Pattabiram.
Around 600 MSMEs in Ambattur Industrial Estate had been shut for want of support, and the state government was still to get financial aid from Centre for these units.
People in flood-affected areas did not have food, medicines, milk for children. Alleging that the projects like Amma Clinic had been paralyzed, which could have otherwise helped the people in need during monsoon. Amma canteens had been provided with less foodgrains and they could not meet the growing demand during monsoon.