Jayalalithaa claimed credit for getting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce the disaster “calamity of sev... Read More

CHENNAI: The Centre has declared rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu as a “calamity of severe nature”, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said on Thursday.

Claiming credit for making the Centre announce it a “calamity of severe nature”, Jayalalithaa said, "Funds from the MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme ) to the extent of Rs 1 crore can be utilised for works in flood-affected districts, and the Parliament secretariat has issued a circular to MPs in this regard."

"During his visit to Chennai on December 3, I placed the request to the Prime Minister and also explained to him in detail the damage caused by rain and floods. I also requested him to announce this as a national disaster,” she said.

The chief minister said instructions had been given to the chief secretary asking him to explain to the MPs the works needed to be undertaken in flood-affected districts.

"I request all AIADMK MPs to contribute Rs 1 crore from the MPLADS towards this," said the chief minister.

