Chennai, Nov 17 (BPNS)

Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday sought central government assistance of Rs 2629 crore for the relief and restoration work in the areas affected by the recent rains.

The government officials said that of the Rs 2629 central assistance, Rs 2079 crore is for long-term work while Rs 550 crore is towards immediate restoration works.

A six-member inter-ministerial team from New Delhi will reach Tamil Nadu on Wednesday for an on-the-spot assessment of rain-related damages.

The team, according to Tamil Nadu government officials, will be visiting the districts that were devastated by the rains and will be submitting the report within a week’s time.

Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament and veteran DMK leader, T. R. Balu submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on the damages inflicted by the rain on the state. Amit Shah later spoke to Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin over telephone and assured central government support and assistance to the state of Tamil Nadu on the recent rain-related havoc.

The DMK government has in its presentation to the Union government said that in the recent rains 50,000 hectares of standing crop was totally destroyed and 526 hectares of horticultural crop was also destroyed. 96000 huts were damaged in the rains and 2,100 houses were also destroyed.