Sitharaman visits cyclone hit Thanjavur dist; assures Centre's

: Continuing her tour of cyclone Gaja affected areas in Tamil Nadu for the second day, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharraman visited Thanjavur district Friday and assured affected coconut farmers that the union government would extend all help to them.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Peruvurani in the district and interacting with farmers, she said that the Centre had despatched five trucks of kerosene to five relief centres and it would be distributed to the people Saturday.

This would be apart from the relief provided by the state government in allocation of rations, she said.

The defence minister said she went around affected areas in Pattukottai and Peravurani Friday.

She said would explain the situation to the union Finance Minister and he would take steps to rehabilitate the farmers.

The minister earlier held discussions with coconut farmers, coconut related industry owners and workers and locals.s