Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by Tamil nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Palaniswami at the airport in Chennai on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is also seen. PTI Phot/DIPR
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Chennai for a day, assured all assistance to the rain-ravaged Tamil Nadu.
The Prime Minister met chief minister EK Palaniswami, and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam shortly after landing in Chennai. The state ministers briefed the prime minister of the existing situation in the state and how it was grappling with the heavy downpour.
Several parts of Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur have been witnessing heavy rains for the past week, which have led to water logging in several areas.
The prime minister promised that the Centre will provide any help needed by the state.
On landing in Chennai, PM @narendramodi discussed the situation arising due to heavy rains and floods in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu with the CM & Dy CM of the state. He assured them of all assistance from the Centre.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017
The Tamil Nadu government sought a financial assistance of ₹ 1,500 crore from the Centre for relief work.
“We have sought about Rs 1,500 crore. During heavy rains, there is water-logging in the low-lying areas of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. To put in place a permanent solution and create basic facilities, about Rs 1,500 crore is required,” CM Palaniswami told reporters.
The prime minister also took stock of the situation arising out of the torrential downpour.
The prime minister expressed grief over the deaths in the state because of the rains. So far there have been nine rain-related deaths in the state.
The prime minister was in Chennai to attend an event that was celebrating the 75th anniversary of Tamil daily ‘Dina Thanthi’. At the event PM Modi urged the media to take extra effort to maintain credibility.
“Editorial freedom must be used wisely in public interest,” he said. It should ensured that the freedom to write and decide should not include the freedom to be “factually incorrect”.
He urged the media to be responsible because they shape public opinion.
Today, newspapers do not just give news. They can also mould our thinking & open a window to the world. In a broader context, media is a means of transforming society. That is why we refer to the media as the fourth pillar of democracy: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 6, 2017
(With inputs from PTI)