TN got highest drought assistance, claims Minister

Tamil Nadu received the highest quantum of relief amount among the 10 drought-hit states from the Centre, said Revenue Minister R B Udayakumar. 

The minister was here on Friday to review the drought control measures initiated by the officials in four districts and disbursal of compensation to affected persons.

In a follow up to the meeting convened by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy recently to discuss the drought situation in the state, Udayakumar chaired a review meeting with senior officials of revenue department from Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Cuddalore districts. He listed the steps taken by officials to alleviate the drought impact. 

“Due to the unprecedented drought in the last 140 years, 32 lakh farmers have been affected across the State. In a bid to bail them out from the present crisis, Rs 2,247 crore as farm input assistance will be credited into the individual bank accounts of farmers in every taluk of the drought-hit districts,” the minister informed. 

The meeting, which was attended by the Commissioner of Revenue Administration Satya Gopal and revenue and PWD officials from the four participating districts, reviewed the status of drinking water supply. 

“During the recent visit of our Chief Minister to New Delhi, the Prime Minister while acknowledging the impact of drought in the State assured to provide required assistance for tackling the situation,” R B Udhayakumar said. 

Ministers Vellamandi N Natarajan and S Valarmathi and Collectors of Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Cuddalore also took part in the meeting.