In A big relief to the tsunami affected families of Andaman and Nicobar islands, the Supreme Court today gave a slew of directions to the local administrations for their timely and speedy rehabilitation.

A Bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and Altamas Kabir directed the local authorities to provide government jobs to a member of the affected families whose agricultural lands were submerged in the tsunami calamity.

The Bench also directed the local authorities to set up Lok Adalats in consultation with the High Court to sort out the cases pertaining to rehabilitation. It also directed the authorities to provide free ration to the affected families. “Dry ration is to be provided to the affected families till August 2007 or till the matter is disposed of in the court,” the Bench said.

Gross irregularities in relief: CAG

Chennai: Gross irregularities, including payment of relief to unaffected persons in violation of the Centre’s guidelines and in excess of prescribed norms were committed in tsunami relief works by the AIADMK Government, a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India said here today.

“Funds amounting to Rs 28.78 crore were drawn from the calamity relief fund towards various activities not prescribed by the Centre’s guidelines or in excess of prescribed norms,” the report said.

The report said that irregular relief of Rs 33.60 lakh was extended to fishermen for unverified claims of damage to 168 boats in Samanthanpettai village of Nagappatinam district.

“The number of catamarans registered with the fisheries department in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Villupuram was 10,209, whereas the number of catamarans to which relief for damages extended were 13,53 In the interim direction, the court also told the government to provide free boats to fishermen according to their requirement. The apex court passed the direction on a PIL filed by the affected families. The families had contended before the court that the government had not been conducting the rehabilitation process properly and they were still not provided with the basic necessities of life.