Puducherry: A nine member inter-ministerial
deputed by the Centre on Sunday visited cyclone Thane-ravaged
areas in and around Puducherry to assess the damage.
The team led by Lokesh Jha, Joint Secretary in the Ministry
of Home Affairs, saw for itself the extent of havoc the
December 30 cyclonic storm had caused in agriculture and other
sectors besides claiming seven lives here.
Earlier, officials of the territorial administration
led by Chief Secretary to Puducherry M.Sathiyavathy briefed
the team members.
Jha told newsmen at Porayur that a memorandum on the damage
caused by the cylonic storm was handed to the team at the
meeting with the officials.
Puducherry Director of Agriculture Sathiaseelan told the
team that the more than century old government botanical
garden had borne the impact of the cyclone.Over 150-year-old
trees had been uprooted and more than two lakh coconut trees
were lost in the cyclone.
It was pointed out that at least Rs 5000 should be
sanctioned as compensation per tree lost in the calamity.
A team of legislators of the opposition AIADMK headed by
A. Anbalagan submitted a memorandum to Jha highlighting the
extent of havoc the fisheries and farm sector had suffered.
After overnight stay here, the team would visit Cuddalore
tomorrow, sources said.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, January 08, 2012, 19:55