Centre gives 1,712 crore as drought, cyclone relief to Tamil Nadu

The decision comes in the wake of Tamil Nadu farmers protesting here in the national capital demanding loan waiver and other assistance. 

“The Central government is concerned at prevailing drought situation in Tamil Nadu,” an official statement said. The decision to provide relief under NDRF was taken in the recent meeting of a High Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. 

Out of Rs 1,712.1 crore released, Rs 1,447.99 crore is for kharif drought relief and Rs 264.11 crore for cyclonic storm Vardah. 

The committee has approved sanctioning of Rs 1,793.63 crore to Tamil Nadu for kharif drought, but the Centre has released a sum of Rs 1,447.99 crore to Tamil Nadu after adjusting Rs 345.64 crore lying in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Tamil Nadu has been asked to disburse relief funds directly to the bank account of beneficiaries. 

As per the official statement, the relief fund released to Tamil Nadu is over and above the amount allocated to them as devolution of 42 per cent of central taxes as per the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission. 

Farmers belonging to the Cauvery belt in Tamil Nadu are protesting here demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore from the Centre, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board. On Friday, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with farmers who are camping here for the 18th day in a row.