TN floods: MPs offer to spend MPLADS

The Tamil Nadu flood situation today brought MPs of diverse hues together in offering to spend MPLADS funds for relief and rehabilitation and some even announced contributions of varying amounts as the Centre described the situation in Chennai as "worrisome".
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha took up an immediate discussion on the floods in Tamil Nadu as also in some other states like Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
In the Rajya Sabha, members offered to utilise MPLADS funds for relief and rehabilitation work in the state and some even announced contributions of varying amounts for the cause.
Tarun Vijay (BJP) announced Rs 50 lakh from his MPLADS fund while Ramdas Athavale (RPI-A) declared donation of his one month's salary of Rs one lakh besides contribution from MPLAD fund for the Tamil Nadu flood victims.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said members should contribute significant amount like Rs 50 lakh or Rs 1 crore from their MPLADS fund.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation this morning and the flood situation in Chennai was "worrisome" as IMD has predicted heavy rains in the next two days.

"The PM has talked to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (yesterday) and offered to give all support," he added.
The situation is precarious as all connnectivity in the city has been disrupted due to overflowing of water, he said.
"I am very worried. I pray to the God to save all people," the minister said.

He told members in Rajya Sabha to give concrete suggestions, both short and long term, with "one voice" to save the people in flood-hit Chennai without indulging in criticism of each other at this crucial juncture.
The Tamil Nadu government is doing its best and the Centre has sanctioned Rs 933 crore towards flood relief to the state, the minister said.
In Lok Sabha, Naidu said a discussion in the House on the situation arising out of heavy rains in different parts of India, including Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal too, will give "confidence" to the people affected by floods in Tamil Nadu.

On a personal note, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister
said his daughter and grand daughter have sent to him pictures of Chennai and he is "moved by plight of ordinary people there". The flood is the worst in 100 years and was unpreceedented and unheard of.
"It is time for Parliament to convey to people that be confident. It is not time to criticise the Government. Navy, army, NDRF have been pressed into action and if there is need for any further support that too will be sent," Naidu said.
In Rajya Sabha, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said, "We can allow MPLADs funds for relief work in Chennai."

His suggestion was supported by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, who said, "I also associate with CPI-M leader. It (using MPLADs funds) had come to my mind, but as always Yechury takes the lead. On behalf of my party, we will support funds from MPLADS."
To this, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said: "All of us are willing to contribute from MPLADS to provide relief to flood-affected Chennai. The amount will be decided in consultation with Chairman."
Under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), the district authorities spend money on works recommended by member of both the Houses from time to time.

Initiating the discussion in Rajya Sabha, DMK leader Kanimozhi sought more central support towards relief work.
The Tamil Nadu government has estimated flood damages at Rs 8,481 crore, but the Centre has sanctioned only over Rs 830 crore. "It is necessary that Centre releases more funds to tide over the situation," she urged.
She asked the Centre to declare the current floods in Chennai as natural disaster and send another central team to assess the damages in the state. She also suggested that an all-party parliamentary delegation should visit the state.
Praising the NDA government for remarkable support being given to Tamil Nadu at this juncture, the DMK leader said this was the time to show all political parties are united.

To Kanimozhi's suggestion about visit of parliamentary delegation to the state, Naidu said, "A central team has already gone there. A part of the team is stranded. Our visit will divert the attention there. I happy that Kanimozhi said this is not the time to talk about differences. I liked the tone she said."
In Lok Sabha too, members made a srong plea for all possible help and assistance from the Centre to Tamil Nadu
Sharing the concern over it, Sudip Bandhyopadhyay (TMC) said West Bengal had witnessed both floods and drought in different parts of the state and should be helped along with Tamil Nadu.

He said the Mamata Banerjee government has sought Rs 6,000 crore from the Centre to tackle the situation.