A ten-member Central team headed by Logesh Jha, Joint Secretary to the Central Government, will visit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry tomorrow or day after tomorrow, Union Minister of State for Prime minister's office (PMO) V Narayansami said today.
Talking to newspersons over phone from New Delhi, Mr Narayansami said team comprising officials from various departments would assess the damages caused by the cyclone, 'Thane', in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry following which the quantum of relief would be finalised.
He said Puducherry administration had sent a report of Rs 2,500 crore damages in the cyclone while the report from Tamil Nadu was yet to be received. It was expected today or tomorrow, he added.
Mr Narayansami said after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram visited Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, both (Mr Chidambaram and Mr Naraynasami) met Prime Minister Manhmohan Singh and apprised him of the damages.
However, interim relief could not be announced as the report from Tami Nadu was not received, he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Rangasamy had written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking release of Rs 500 crore as an interim relief which would be announced in a couple of days.
He said farmers, fishermen and hut dwellers were the most affected in the cyclone. Adequate funds for the farmers to start their operations, for fishermen to get new fishing equipment and for hut dwellers to temporarily construct their houses and to construct pucca houses would be provided, he said.
He urged the officials to have a proper assessment of the damages and to provide an accurate report to the Centre.
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