Panel fixes just Rs 2,000 crore for Tamil Nadu drought

Reports received here said, another Rs 1,748 crore has been recommended by a sub-committee. Based on the reports, the Union government was expected to decide on the drought relief component to the state. The Central team had visited the State assessed the drought situation following a request made by the State government in January this year. 

The team visited the droughthit areas, made an on the spot assessment of the extent of drought, interacted with the affected farmers and held discussions with the officials of the State government. 

On January 16, the then Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to depute a central team to study the extensive damage caused to crops and take stock of the drinking water scarcity. 

After he stepped down, his successor Edappadi Palaniswami met Modi at New Delhi and submitted a detailed memorandum on various issues concerning the state, and had sought a drought relief of Rs 39,565 crore to the State. 

The Chief Minister, who briefed the Prime Minister on the prevailing drought situation in Tamil Nadu, informed him that the state had already sought Rs 39,565 crore funding for drought relief and rehabilitation measures. He also requested early release of funds as Tamil Nadu had already incurred Rs 2,944 crore out of its own funds including the State Disaster Response Fund of Rs 713 crore. 

He also urged the Prime Minister to release at least Rs 2,500 crore as an immediate on account release from the National Disaster Response Fund and also drew his attention that it had sought Rs 22,573 crore for relief and restoration measures after the devastating Cyclone Vardah.