Sunday, November 27 2005 12:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Madurai: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today (Nov 27, 2005) assured the Tamil Nadu government that the Centre would release funds to carry out rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas in the state immediately.

Talking to newsmen after visiting the flood affected areas at Suryanagar in the city outskirts; he said a team of Central ministers would give their assessment on the damages incurred to the Prime Minister. Initially, funds would release for immediate relief and rescue operations, he said.

Besides, a central team would also be visiting the state to assess the flood relief works and submit its report, which would also be taken into consideration while releasing the funds, he said.

Patil said the Central government would consider the request of the state government for funds to carry out relief works. However, he declined to disclose the exact quantum of the amount that would be sanctioned to the state saying 'relief package is the immediate need of the state'.

The Minister, accompanied by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Union Minister of State for Home, S Raghupathy, would also have an aerial survey of the flood affected areas in Ramanathapuram, Sivagana and Tiruchirappalli districts later.