CM seeks Rs 39,565 crore from Centre to tackle drought

Tamil Nadu has urged the Centre to sanction Rs 39,565 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund towards mitigation measures.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Monday Rs 1,000 crore urgently as the state government does not have sufficient funds to meet the challenge.

Stating that Tamil Nadu received only 168.3 mm of rainfall during North-East monsoon as against the normal rainfall of 440.4 mm - a deficit of 62%, Panneerselvam said All the 32 Districts have received rainfall that has been scanty or deficient and the range is from 35% to 81%.

"The drought situation in Tamil Nadu has been exacerbated by the non-release of water by Karnataka in accordance with the Final Order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal", he said adding Karnataka released only 66.5 TMC water as against the total quantum of 179 TMC feet of water leaving a huge shortfall of 112.5 TMC feet.

Panneerselvam said the government had to provide relief to farmers for damage caused to crops due to failure of the monsoon and to ensure drinking water supply through various temporary measures to tackle the water scarcity in the state.

"Moreover, adequate fodder availability needs to be maintained to protect cattle and the small ruminant population. Employment generation programmes have to be taken up on a war footing to ensure that livelihood of agricultural labourers is protected. For the above purposes, I request that a sum of Rs 39,565 crore may be sanctioned from the National Disaster Response Fund," he said.