Panneerselvam seeks Rs 22,500 crore from Modi for flood relief

During his maiden visit to the national capital after taking charge as Chief Minister following J Jayalalithaa’s death, O Panneerselvam on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded the Bharat Ratna for the former chief minister.

Also, estimating the loss due to cyclone Vardah that crossed Chennai coast on December 12 at Rs 22,573 crore, Panneerselvam on Monday presented a detailed memorandum on damages to Modi.

During the meeting with Modi, Panneerselvam reiterated the request for an on account release of Rs 1000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund immediately.

He also requested that Central assistance to Tamil Nadu under the National Disaster Response Fund and under other Central schemes may be sanctioned at the earliest to enable the State to undertake the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation works.

Panneerselvam also demanded that a life-size bronze statue of Jayalalithaa be installed in the Parliament complex.

A Tamil Nadu government statement said Modi had assured the CM of early action on his request and on issues raised in the memorandum handed over to the Prime Minister.

Protection of the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay and ensuring their safety and security, retrieval of Katchatheevu Island, and early sanction of the Comprehensive Special Package for Diversification of Fisheries were also raised in the memorandum.