Tondiarpet, Pulianthope victims get aid

CHENNAI: Families that were affected by the recent outbreak of fires in Tondiarpet and Pulianthope were given relief material by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and the Youth Red Cross here on Wednesday.Assembly Speaker D Jayakumar distributed the relief package, which included saris, bed sheets, towels, lungis, steel plates, ladles and tumblers, aluminium cooking vessels and boxes, and plastic and straw mats.Elaborating on the work done by the IRCS in Tamil Nadu over the years, Jayakumar recalled its involvement in providing relief after the 2004 tsunami. He also pointed out that the compensation given to those affected by unforeseen calamities had been raised. “Amma (Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa) has raised the amount from `2,000 to `5,000. Disasters like this should not happen, but if they do, this is the sum you will receive,” he said.Jayakumar thanked the IRCS and its vice-president and chairman, Harish L Mehta, for arranging the relief material in a little over 24 hours. “On behalf of the government, I thank you. I also assure the people that Amma has promised you a bright future,” he said.Sympathising with the fire-affected people, MLA P Vetrivel, said a study has been undertaken to find where they could be relocated. “Do not be influenced by what miscreants say and do anything rash,” he cautioned.Around 50 members from the Youth Red Cross helped organise the event. Also present at the function were MP N Balaganga, MLA Pazha Karuppaiah and former zonal chairman of the Corporation of Chennai R Pratap Kumar.