Wednesday, December 29 2004 19:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Describing the tsunami disaster as a "national calamity", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Dec 29, 2004) said, as of now, imposition of cess to mop up resources was not necessary.

"This is a national calamity," the Prime Minister said after visiting the North Block where a round-the-clock control room has been set up by the Home Ministry to monitor and coordinate relief and rehabilitation operations in the Tsunami-hit States and Union territories.

Asked if the Government was considering imposing cess to generate resources for relief works, Singh said, "As of now, it is not necessary."