AIADMK threatens stir over Thane relief delay

PUDUCHERRY: The local unit of AIADMK has threatened to launch an agitation if the relief announcement and distribution was delayed beyond two to three days.Briefing newsmen at a press conference, Puducherry AIADMK secretary and MLA A Anbazhagan along with MLAs Om Sakthi Segar, Purushotaman, L Periyasamy and A Baskar, on Saturday, said that the government without waiting for central funds should utilise the unspent allocation in several departments to provide relief.He faulted the government for not having a reserve fund allocated in the budget for tiding over such calamities. All sections of people affected by the cyclone should be provided relief by assessing the extent of damage. The government should not only provide relief  for house, crops, boats damage and loss of  animals, but also to industries which had been crippled by the devastation.He criticised the ministers for functioning like MLAs who he said  were visiting and taking stock only in their constituencies. Is it not their duty to console all affected  people, he asked and added that they were differentiating between the constituencies of  Opposition and ruling parties The AIADMK MLAs also sought the waiving of farm loans, fishermen as well as house tax, property tax, land tax. He said that there were norms for waiving after the government had declared Puducherry as calamity affected. He also reiterated the need to convene a special session of the Assembly so that MLAs of all parties could express their views for deciding on the relief covering all affected sections of people.Rangasamy Asks Home Minister to Release AidChief Minister N Rangasamy has urged Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to initiate steps for early release of an interim relief from the Centre.During the Union minister’s visit, Rangasamy presented a report on the extent of damages amounting to `2,442 crore.