Lashing out at the AIADMK government for its handling of the rain situation, DMK chief Karunanidhi today asked why Tamil Nadu had not announced a relief package like Puducherry and criticised it for "snapping" power supply to a hospital here where 18 people died.
Stating that Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy had visited flood victims and offered comprehensive relief measures including Rs 4,000 each for ration card holders, he asked, "Has an announcement like that been made so far in Tamil Nadu?"
Faulting Jayalalithaa for "not visiting the flood victims" when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inspected the damage on an aerial survey, he said, "Only if the Chief Minister goes to flood hit areas, would Ministers and officials undertake relief work with fear."
"18 persons have died in MIOT hospital due to lack of electricity supply," he alleged, and asked, "Should not the government have exempted hospital like places?
Eighteen patients died in the private hospital here allegedly due to flooding of generator room and resultant snap of oxygen and ventilator support.
State Chief Secretary K Gnandesikan had yesterday said that the "law would take its own course."
Health Secretary Radhakrishnan had said the generators had ceased functioning due to inundation as the hospital had no standby generators. Power supply to the area was withdrawn due to rains and resultant floods.
Karunanidhi accused the government secretary of "trying to escape by saying that 14 persons died due to several diseases over the past few days and that their bodies were lying in the morgue."
Criticising the government for power cuts, the DMK chief asked, "What would the residents living in fifth or sixth floors do if power supply was stopped for three-four days."
He also faulted the government over drinking water supply and asked, "Did the state arrange drinking water?"
He also blamed the government for not seeking flood relief from the general public and private individuals.
