Monday, January 24 2005 14:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Accepting an Opposition demand, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today (Jan 24, 2005) announced formation of committees at district, village and ward levels to monitor the relief and rehabilitation of tsunami- affected persons.

Almost all Opposition parties put forth this demand at a recent all party meeting, convened by her.

In a statement, Jayalalithaa said these committees would be constituted in all the 13 coastal districts of the State.

The district Committees, headed by the collectors, would comprise MPs, MLAs, district Panchayat presidents and vice presidents, Panchayat union presidents of the affected areas and State Government officials.

The collectors would nominate representatives of two NGOs in these committees, she said.

At the village level, village and ward committees would be headed by the Village Panchayat president or the ward member.

The head of the fishermen Panchayat in the village, secretary and treasurer of such Panchayats, revenue inspector and village administrative officers would be the members of these committees.

Collectors would nominate two representatives of NGOs to these committees, she said.

DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) president M Karunanidhi, alleging malpractices in the relief work, demanded constitution of monitoring committees to oversee relief works.