Tribute paid to Indira Gandhi on birth anniversary

Paying tributes to the leader on the occasion of her 101st birth anniversary at a function here, he said the Congress government in the union territory was implementing several welfare schemes as had been championed by Indira Gandhi.

“There are several obstacles and obstructions to carry out the welfare measures. However, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy (who was not present at the celebration) was going ahead with implementation of schemes for betterment of the poor and the have-nots,” Namassivayam said. The minister read out the national integration pledge.

He said cyclone Gaja had caused extensive damage in Karaikal and the government machinery swung into action to restore normalcy in the region at the earliest.

He said that power structures had collapsed in Karaikal under the impact of the severe cyclone. However, immediate steps were taken to ensure that power supply was restored at the earliest, the minister added.

He said the cabinet headed by Narayanasamy had discussed the situation arising out of the cyclone in Karaikal.

Namassivayam also said an interim report was prepared to urge the Centre to seek funds and also to send a cyclone relief committee to Karaikal.

He said Education Secretary A Anbarasu would leave for Delhi to present the interim report to the Union Home Minister pressing sanction of financial assistance to Puducherry to tackle the situation and also to seek visit of a central relief committee to Karaikal.

AICC Secretary Sanjay Dutt would visit cyclone-hit Karaikal tomorrow and meet the affected people.