The relief amount that the government is distributing to the cyclone-hit, to enable them to return to normal life by reactivating their source of livelihood, is, ironically, finding its way to the Tasmac retail liquor outlets in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.
A day after Thane hit Cuddalore district, there was a large turnout of people outside the liquor shops which alone remained open while most other shops and business establishments remained closed.
Seeking anonymity, sources said IMFL retail outlets in Cuddalore district earned Rs 9.83 crore from January 14-16, 2012, compared to Rs 6.77 crore during 2011, an increase of Rs 3 crore.
All the 231 Tasmac outlets in Cuddalore, which collectively generate Rs 1-Rs 1.5 crore, on an average, showed double the revenue in the current month.
This is indicative of the large amount of money flowing into Tasmac shops — which can only be the relief money.
Film director and cinematographer Thankar Bachan, working on a documentary on cyclone Thane in Cuddalore, told Deccan Chronicle that “the relief amount provided by the state government was directly going to the Tasmac outlets instead of the affected families.
This is an unhealthy trend. The disaster has taken a heavy toll of people’s lives and livelihood, causing them mental agony. Agriculture has been wiped out and farmers are at their wit’s end on what to do next.”
If the state government is really keen about rehabilitation, it should either close down the IMFL outlets till normalcy returns or stop the distribution of cash relief, he opined.
Mr Thankar Bachan said officials had not properly assessed the damage or visited the affected areas, fearing the wrath of the people. I will submit my documentary to the national human rights ommission, he said.
A senior official of the district administration said though there were requests from various sections to close down liquor shops till normalcy was restored, no decision had been taken.
The government was keen to ensure that the cash relief reached the affected sections, particularly women, so that it is used for their economic uplift.