Chennai, Nov 14 (IANS) Opposition leader J. Jayalalithaa Saturday demanded the Tamil Nadu government speed up relief efforts in the Nilgiri district and increase the compensation amount to the victims of landslides triggered by heavy rains which claimed 43 lives, destroyed hundreds of homes and standing crops.
“The Nilgiri district experienced landslides in more than 500 places damaging hundreds of houses, bridges, crops and killed several people. Thousands have been left homeless and struggling for food and shelter, while Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is content with writing letters to his party cadres in Murasoli daily,” AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa said in a statement issued here.

She said the compensation of Rs.2,000 offered to the affected families is not sufficient given the current price levels and demanded a payment Rs.6,000.

Jayalalithaa also demanded an increase in compensation to Rs.500,000 to those families who had lost a family member to rain related accidents instead of the present Rs.100,000.

She said her party will hold a demonstration in Nilgiri Nov 16 to press for the demands.

Union Communication and Information Technology Minister A. Raja, who is Lok Sabha MP from the Nilgiri district, told reporters Friday that the loss in the rains for the past one week is estimated at Rs.300 crore.