AMM Foundation announces Rs 1 crore more for tsunami relief

The Murugappa Group's community welfare arm "�"� AMM Foundation "�"� has committed a further Rs 1 crore for long-term relief and rehabilitation work for the tsunami affected families in Tamil Nadu which would be used largely to construct houses, repair boats and reconstruct schools.

The Murugappa Group has already committed Rs 1.56 crore for the tsunami-affected of which Rs 1.06 crore was contributed to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund while Rs 50 lakh was contributed the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

It has been effective in providing immediate relief to over 1,700 families thus in the first phase of relief and rehabilitation work.

AMM Foundation has requested the collector of Cuddalore to buy some land so that permanent dwellings for the tsunami-affected can be built.

The foundation plans to repair boats in Nagapattinam, Thiruvottiyur and Ennore. All rehabilitation efforts will be done in consultation with the government machinery.

"Through the AMM Murugappa Group Chettiar Centre (MCRC), we are helping fishermen to build catamarans made from high-density polyurethane which they can use. Each catamaran would cost Rs 30,000, out of which Rs 10,000 would be a grant, Rs 10,000 would be obtained from a loan and the remaining cash would come from the fishermen," said MV Murugappan, chairman of MCRC.

The group, which earmarks one per cent of its profit after tax for community welfare activities, had disbursed Rs 67.64 crore through AMM Foundation in 2003-04.

AMM Foundation operates four schools, one polytechnic college and four hospitals in Tamil Nadu where it provides services at subsidised rates.