Wednesday, September 28 2005 16:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Criticizing the Center for demanding accounts for the 'little amount' it had released for the Tsunami victims relief and rehabilitation work, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today (Sept 28, 2005) said her Government had sanctioned Rs.1,120.88 crore and had released Rs.859 crore for the relief and rehabilitation work.

Intervening in a debate on the supplementary estimates in the state assembly, she said the Center had sanctioned only Rs.625.70 crore and even before the entire amount was released, the Center was asking for accounts for the amount released.

"It is surprising that even some people here are demanding accounts for the expenses of the amount released by the Center, when my Government had provided relief and engaged in rehabilitation work quickly," she said.

The Government had formulated a long term rehabilitation programme for the tsunami victims for which the World Bank had sanctioned Rs.1,852.74 crore and the Asian Development BankRs.629.63 crore, she said adding that the UNDP was providing necessary technical support for the programme.

Steps had been taken to construct 45,892 new houses and repair 7,411 damaged houses. Plans were on to construct 43,314 houses, for those who were residing 200 metres from the seashore. But this totally depended on the willingness of the residents, she added.

Over 19000 damaged boats had been repaired and over fresh boats had been given to the affected fishermen at a cost of Rs.141.23 crore, she said.