Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa to seek financial assistance from Centre to tackle water shortage

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday said her government will seek Central assistance of Rs 19,665 crore towards drought relief. Reading a statement in the assembly, she said a drought memorandum with various components, will be immediately sent to the Centre. The various components include compensation of Rs 9286.20 crore towards damage suffered by agriculture sector and loss of Rs 2661.32 crores suffered by TANGEDCO, the state's power utility.The chief minister also announced a relief package to non-Cauvery delta districts, similar to the one given to those affected in the Delta districts in February this year.Today's relief package of a total Rs 1754.86 crore covered crop-loss sustained by farmers in these districts besides employment guarantee scheme, the MGNREGA, she said. The relief package also includes compensation of Rs 5,000 per acre to farmers, who suffered 50% crop loss.