Hope Centre will disburse funds as per conscience: Edappadi K Palaniswami

Chennai: Contending that it was the duty of the State and central governments to help the cyclone-affected, Mr. Palaniswami said, "we have informed the damages to the union government and also sought financial assistance for relief works. I hope the Centre will release the funds sought by the State as per conscience and on humanitarian grounds."

Distributing relief material to over 400 affected people in Nagapattinam district, he said that both the Central and State governments have the responsibility of providing relief to the people.

"We have conveyed the extent of damage to the Centre, indicated the quantum of relief that is needed and what we require as initial release," he said.

A special scheme would be prepared to rehabilitate the people and it would be headed by an IAS rank official. The removal of uprooted trees would be covered under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the benefit of the local people, he said and added that his government was acting without any "slackness," in providing necessary amenities to those affected.

He was accompanied by deputy CM O. Panneerselvam, ministers and officials, Mr. Palaniswami visited relief camps and interacted with the affected people.