Monday, April 24 2006 10:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tiruchirappalli: The Centre could not release the entire amount sought by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for flood relief in Tamil Nadu since her claims were not properly substantiated, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said here yesterday (Apr 23, 2006).

"Its all humbug her claim that the Centre did not release Rs 130 billion for flood relief," Chidambaram said here.

"In fact, the Chief Minister was yet to submit the statement of expenditure regarding the Rs 10 bn relief amount provided by the Centre," he said.

"Despite Jayalalithaa's non-cooperation, the Sethusamudram canal project was going ahead successfully, thanks to the 'valued efforts' of T R Baalu, the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways," he said.