RB Udakumar. File | Image credit: G. Moorthy
AIADMK deputy leader of opposition and former revenue minister RB Udayakumar said lack of coordination among senior officials of various government departments and less field visits appeared to be the main reasons for the suffering of people in Madurai and southern Tamil Nadu during the northeast monsoon this week. Five (November 8, 2024).
Speaking to the media after visiting some low-lying areas in Madurai city affected by recent rains, he said that although Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin claimed that the government had overcome all rain-related problems, the actual situation was different.
Slamming the DMK government, he said more than 500 cows have died in the rains in the state so far. About 89,000 acres of various crops were flooded. According to preliminary surveys, 5,856 acres of cultivated land in the southern districts were washed away. At least 875 huts were destroyed in southern Tamil Nadu, especially in Kanniyakumari and Theni districts.
As for horticulture crops, nearly 890 acres of land were washed away, he said, adding that according to media reports, 34 people lost their lives in the rains. “Is this an action taken by the government?” he asked.
He wanted the chief minister to direct district collectors and corporation/municipal commissioners to form micro committees in blocks/wards as it would help officials focus their efforts effectively.
He said review meetings should be held on-site with on-site managers rather than within the four walls of their offices. For example, in Madurai city, Serur is the worst-affected area as it is located in a low-lying area and even after three days of rains, drainage complaints have not been resolved, he claimed.
He said most of the major roads in Madurai city continued to be riddled with potholes and unusual accidents were reported. He charged that this showed the callousness of the government and asked the civil administration to remain on a war footing as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the rains were likely to continue for about another week.
Health ministry officials should be directed to set up health camps in Serur and screen children and senior citizens in Madurai city.
He claimed there were also complaints about shortage of maintenance staff due to non-payment of Deepavali bonuses. The AIADMK leader claimed that if the claims of the conservancy workers were true, the government should provide them with bonuses or ex-gratia without delay.
He added that he has also appealed to the disaster management department to create awareness among farmers about the functionality of TN-Alert app as many farmers in Madurai and southern districts have expressed concerns over crop losses.
Published – November 8, 2024 03:07 pm (IST)
