The CPI (ML) polit-bureau member, Swapan Mukherjee has demanded today that the Centre declare Tamil Nadu a natural disaster and calamity hit state and announce a relief of Rs.10,000 crores immediately.

Speaking to the media at a press conference, Mr. Mukherjee alleged that the disaster was more due to systemic failure and acts of omissions and commissions of the state governments. The criminal negligence of the successive governments in allowing illegal sand mining and letting the real estate mafia to encroach on the lake-beds
had led to this human tragedy, he said.

He accused the AIADMK government led by Jayalalithaa of failure to provide the necessary basic infrastructure such as storm-water drains, and desilting of canals, despite the announcements under Rule 110 in
the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

About the double life imprisonment awarded to eight workers in the murder of a vice president of Pricol, he said that the party will appeal against the judgement. He alleged that the judgement was based on assumptions and conjectures. Quoting this and the Maruti dispute, he also stressed on the need for collective bargaining powers for the workers.