CHENNAI: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Thursday alleged Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is unable to act on the drought situation in the state due to those wielding power from behind.
He said the number of farmers’ deaths had crossed 100 and the state government had not acted to mitigate their sufferings by declaring the state as drought hit.
Referring to DMK’s demand to convene an emergency session of the Assembly and pass a resolution to declare the state as drought hit, Stalin said during the meeting with the Chief Minister, he could feel that the Chief Minister, who is aware of the fairness of the demand, is in some sort of a crisis and not in a position to act.
The lives of farmers could not be affected due to the complacence of those who are running the administration from behind, he alleged. The farmers had been severely affected as the state could not get its due share of water, besides failure of monsoon and lack of relief assistance from the government.
While there is demand from every quarter to declare the state as drought hit, the AIADMK government had not acted, he said. The government had formed a committee to analyse the crop damage after the DMK sought time to meet the Chief Minister, he said.
The neighbouring state of Karnataka had submitted a report to the centre on the drought situation and demanded Rs 4,702 crore. Karnataka had been sanctioned Rs. 1788 crore by the Centre, he said and added that Kerala too had submitted a report seeking funds for relief.
Tamil Nadu is facing more severe drought compared to the neighbouring states, besides facing the threat of acute drinking water shortage. There are reports that Chennai would get drinking water supply for just one month, he said and added that the delay by the state government would cause more deaths of farmers.
He appealed to the state government to act fast and exert pressure on the centre to declare the state as drought hit, besides getting the required funds. Compensation should be given for the families of farmers who lost their lives and the other farmers should be given compensation for loss of crops, he added.
