Tamil Nadu government today announced further sops for the rain-ravaged districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallore and Cuddalore, including providing 2,000 tonnes of bleaching powder and one crore chlorine tablets to citizens for health safeguards.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said domestic consumers of electricity in these affected districts need not pay their power bills this month and can do so by January 31, 2016 and that no penalty will be levied for delay.
Holding that some private schools seemed to consider that the government's decision on postponing of half-yearly exams did not apply to them, Jayalalithaa made it clear that her directive covered all kinds of educational institutions.
"It seems some private schools consider it does not apply to them. Postponing of exams applies to all government, aided and private schools. I have directed the School Education Department to issue a circular to all schools in this regard," she said in a statement.
Further, the government will provide safety accessories to scores of sanitary workers involved in clearing the debris left back by the floods even as they will be administered with preventive vaccines, she said.
"To ensure the health of people in affected areas, as a preventive measure, half kg of bleaching powder (to be strewn along) and 20 chlorine tablets to purify water will be provided per household," she said.
A total of 2,000 tonnes of bleaching powder and one crore chlorine tablets will be distributed to the beneficiaries by the respective local bodies across the state, she said, adding that the 1,105 medical camps being conducted by the government will continue serving people.
The state government will procure 100 kg of potato and 75 kg of onion from other states to be sold through state-run Farm Fresh outlets where the vegetables are sold at lower prices, she said.
(REOPENS MDS14)
Meanwhile, DMK Treasurer M K Stalin said the compensation of Rs 13,500 per hectare for flood hit crops was not adequate.
"The Government should provide minimum Rs 25,000 per hectare as compensation," he said.
He also urged the government to reveal exact details about the extent of damage and loss of lives in Chennai and other areas due to floods.
On a tour of flood-hit areas in Nagapattinam district, Stalin visited various places including agrarian villages Alangudi, Ettukudi, Thirukkuvalai, Vaazhaikarai, Kaazhiyappanallur, Ozhugaimangalam and Tarangambadi in the district and interacted with people.
Talking to reporters later, Stalin alleged that government had failed to take necessary precautionary measures.
