AIADMK seeks aid for cyclone victims

Puducherry: Opposition AIADMK in Puducherry has said that the Union Territory suffered Rs 2500 crore damage in the wake of the cyclonic storm that crossed the coast on December 30.

In a memorandum submitted to the inter-ministerial Central team during its visit to Puducherry on Sunday, the AIADMK demanded that each house fully damaged in cyclone Thane should be paid compensation of Rs 25,000 while a partially damaged dwelling unit Rs 15,000.

Puducherry unit secretary A Anbalagan, MLA, said paddy crops in 15,000 hectares in Puducherry and 5000 hectares in Karaikal were destroyed besides sugarcane, casuarina and banana crops.

The storm had denude the Union Territory of 90 per cent of trees including very old trees, the memorandum claimed.